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Copyrighted, 1881 , by Farm and Fireside Co. 


Number 5. 


Price 25 Cents. 


<r 
! <• 


\i- 


TRAVELS 


j *> 
! <> 


OF 


Lemuel Gulliver! 





INTO SEVERAL REMOTE REGIONS 
OE THE WORLD. 


By JONATHAN SWIFT. 


PUBLISHED BY 

FARM AND FIRESIDE COMPANY, 

SPRINGFIELD, OHIO 




v f 

Entered at the Post-Office at Springfield, Ohio, as Second-Class Mail Matter. 


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TRAVELS 


OF 



EMUEL 




INTO 


SEVERAL REMOTE REGIONS OF THE WORLD. 



BV JONATHAN §WIFT. 




SPRINGFIELD, OHIO: ' 

FARM AND FIRESIDE COMPANY, 
1881 . 




Thk Lilliputian Army Marching under Gulliver .— Page 13. 


[21 



GULLIVER'S 


TRAVELS 


PART I. 


A VOYAGE TO LILLIPUT. 


CHAPTER I. 

The nuthor gives some account of himself and family— His first inducements to travel — He is shir- 
wrecked, and swims for his life— Gets safe on shore in the country of Lilliput— Is made a 
prisoner and carried up the country. 

My father had a small estate in Nottinghamshire. I was the tln'rd of five sons. 
He sent me to Emanuel College, in Cambridge, at fourteen years old, where I re- 
sided three years and applied myself close to my studies: but the charge of main- 
taining me — although I had a very scanty allowance — being too great for a narrow 
fortune, I was bound apprentice to Mr. James Bates, an eminent surgeon in London, 
with whom I remained tour years; and my father now and then sending me small 
sums of money, I laid them out in learning navigation and other parts of the math- 
ematics useful to those who intend to travel — as I always believed it would be, some 
time or other, my fortune to do. When I left Mr Bates I went down to my father; 
where, by the assistance of him and my uncle John and some relations, I got forty 
pounds and a promise of thirty pounds a year to maintain me at Leyden. There I 
studied physics two years and seven months, knowing it would be useful in long 
voyages. 

Soon after my return from Leyden I was recommended by my good master, Mr. 
Bates, to be surgeon to the Swallow, Captain Abraham Pannell, commander; with 
whom I continued three years and a half, making a voyage or two into the Levant 
and some other parts. When I came back I resolved to settle in London — to which 
Mr Bates, my master, encouraged me, and by him I was recommended to several 
patients. I took part of a small house in the Old Jewry; and, being advised to 
alter my condition, I married Mrs. Mary Burton, second daughter to Mr. Edmund 
Burton* hosier, in Newgate Street, with whom I received four hundred pounds for a 
portion. 

But my good master Bates dying in two years after, and I having few friends, my 
business began to fail; for my conscience would not sutler me to imitate the bad 
practice of too many among my brethren. Having, therefore, consulted with my 
wife and some of my acquaintance, I determined to go again to sea. I was surgeon 
successively in two ships and made several voyages, for six years, to the East and 
West Indies — by which I got some addition to my fortune. My hours of leisure I 
spent in reading the best authors, ancient and modern — being always provided with 
a good number of books; and, when I was ashore, in observing the manners and dis- 
positions of the people, as well as learning their language— wherein I had a great 
facility by the strength of my memory. 

The last of these voyages not proving very fortunate. I grew weary of the sea and 
intended to stay at home with my wife and family. 1 removed from the Old Jewry 
to Fetter-lane and from thence to Wapping, hoping to get business among the sailors 
—but it would not turn to account. After three years’ expectation that things 


4 


GULLIVER’S TRAVELS. 



would mend I accepted an advantageous offer from Captain William Prichard, mas- 
ter of the Antelope, who was making a voyage to the kouth S.ea. We set sail from 

Bristol, May 4, 1699, and our voyage at first was very prosperous. 

It would not be proper, for some reasons, lo trouble the reader with the particu- 
lars of our adventures in those seas ; let it suffice to inform him that, in our passage 
from thence to the East Indies, we were driven by a violent storm to the north-west 
of Van Diemen’s Land. Bv an observation we found ourselves in the latitude ot 60 
decrees 2 minutes south. Twelve of our crew were dead by immoderate labor and 
ill food; the rest were in a very weak condition. On the 5th of November — which 
was the beginning of summer in those parts — the weather being very hazy, the sea- 
man spied a rock within half a cable’s length of the ship ; but the wind was so strong 
that we were drives directly upon it and split. Six of the crew, of whom I was one, 
having let down the boat into the sea, made a shift to get clear of the ship and the 
rock. We rowed— by my computation— about three leagues, till we were able to 
work no longer, being already spent with labor while we were in the ship. We 
therefore trusted ourselves to the mercy of the waves, and in about halt an hour the 
boat was overset by a sudden flurry from the north. What became of my compan- 
ions in the boat, as well of those who escaped on the rock or were left in the vessel, 
I cannot tell; but conclude they were all lost. For my own part, I swam as fortune 
directed me and was pushed forward by the wind and tide. 1 often let my legs drop 
and could feel no bottom ; but when I was almost gone, and able to struggle no 
longer, I found myself within my depth; and by this time the storm had much 

abated. ~ 

shor< 

forward , . I 

at least, 1 was in so weak a condition that I did not observe them. I was extremely 
tired, and with that and the heat of the weather — and about half a pint of brandy 
that I drank as I left the ship — 1 felt myself much inclined to sleep. I lay down on 
the grass, which was very short and soft, where I slept sounder than ever I remem- 
bered to have done in my life, and, as I reckoned, about nine hours — for when I 
awaked it was just daylight. I attempted to rise, but was unable to stir; for— as I 
happened to lie on my back — I found my arms and legs were strongly fastened on 
each side to the ground ; and my hair, which was long and thick, tied down in the 
same manner. 1 likewise felt several slender ligatures across my body, from my 
arm-pits to my thighs. I could only look upward ; the sun began to grow hot, and 
the light offended my eyes. I heard a confused noise about me, but in the posture 1 
lay could see nothing except the sky. In a little time I felt something alive moving 
on my left leg, which, advancing gently forward over my breast, came almost up to 
my chin; when, bending my eyes downward as much as I could, I perceived it to be 
a human creature, not six inches high, with a bow and arrow in his hands and a 
quiver at his back. In the meantime I felt at least forty more of the same kind (as I 
conjectured) following the first. I was in the utmost astonishment, and roared so 
loud that they all ran back in a fright; and some of them, as I was afterward told, 
were hurt with the falls they got by leaping from my sides upon the ground. How- 
ever, they soon returned, and one of tnem, who ventured so far as to get a full sight 
of my face, lifting up his hands and eyes by way of admiration cried out, in a shrill 
but distinct voice Hekinah degul. The others repeated the same words several times, 
but I then knew not what they meant. I lay all this while, as the reader may be- 
lieve, in great uneasiness; at length, struggling to get loose, I had the fortune to 
break the strings and wrench out the pegs that fastened my left arm to the ground 
— for, by lifting it to my face, I discovered the methods they had taken to bind me 
— and at the same time, with a violent pull which gave me excessive pain, I a little 
loosened the strings that tied down my hair on the left side, so that 1 was just able 
10 turn my head about two inches. But the creatures ran off' a second time before I 
could seize tnem; whereupon there was a great shout in a very shrill accent, and 
after it ceased I heard one of them cry aloud, tolgo phonac ; when in an instant I felt 
above a hundred arrows discharged on my left hand, which pricked me like so many 
needles; and beside, they shot another flight into the air — as we do bombs in Eur.pe 
— whereof many I suppose, fell on my body (though I felt them not) and some on my 
face — which I immediately covered with my left hand. When this shower of arrows 
was over I fell a groaning with grief and pain, and then, striving again to get louse, 
they discharged another volley larger than the first, and some of them attempted, 


A VOYAGE TO LILLIPTTT, 


6 


with spears, to stick me in the sides ; hut by good luck I had on me a buff jerkin, 
which they could not pierce. I thought it the most prudent method to lie still, and 
my design was to continue so till night, when, my left hand being already loose, I 
could easily free myself; and as for the inhabitants, I had reason to believe I might 
be a match for the greatest army they could bring against me, if they were all of the 
same size with him that I saw. But fortune disposed otherwise of me. When the 
people observed I was quiet they discharged no more arrows, but, by the noise I 
heard, I knew their numbers increased; and about four yards from me— over against 
my right ear — I heard a knocking, for above an hour, like that of people at work; 
when, turning my head that way — as well as the pegs and strings would permit me 
— 1 saw a stage erected about a foot and a half from the ground, capable of holding 
four of the inhabitants, with two or three ladders to mount it, from whence one of 
them — who seemed to be a person of quality — made me a long speech, whereof I 
understood not one syllable. But I should have mentioned that, before the principal 
person began his oration, he cried out three times, Langro dehul san. (These words 
and the former were afterward repeated and explained to me.) Whereupon, imme- 
diately about fifty of the inhabitants came and cut the strings that fastened the left 
side of my head, which gave me the liberty of turning it to the right and of observ- 
ing the person and gesture of him that was to speak. He appeared to be of a middle 
age and taller than any of the other three who attended him — whereof one was a 
page that held up his train, and seemed to be somewhat longer than my middle fin» 
ger; the other two stood one on each side to support him. He acted every part of 
an orator, and I could observe many periods of threatenings, and others of promises, 
pity and kindness. I answered in a few words, but in the most submissive manner, 
lifting up my left hand and both my eyes to the sun, as calling him for a witness; 
and being almost famished with hunger — ha.ing not eaten a morsel for some hours 
before I left the ship — I found the demands of nature so strong upon me that I could 
not forbear showing my impatience (perhaps against the strict rules of decency) by 
putting my finger frequently to my mouth, to signify that I wanted food. The hurgo 
(for so they call a great lord, as I afterward learned) understood me very well. He 
descended from the stage and commanded that several ladders should be applied to 
my sides, on which above a hundred of the inhabitants mounted and walked toward 
my mouth, laden with baskets full of meat, which had been provided and sent thith- 
er by the king’s orders upon the first intelligence he received of rffe. 1 observed 
there was the flesh of several animals, but I could not distinguish them by the taste. 
There were shoulders, legs and loins, shaped like those of mutton and very well 
dressed, but smaller than the wings of a lark. I ate them by two or three at a 
mouthful and took three loaves at a time, about the bigness of musket bullets. They 
supplied me as fast as they could, showing a thousand marks of wonder and astonish- 
ment at my bulk and appetite. I then made another sign that I wanted drink. They 
found by my eating that a small quantity would not suffice me, and — being a most 
ingenious people — they slung up, with great dexterity, one of their largest hogs- 
heads, then rolled it toward my hand and beat out the top; I drank it oft’ at a 
draught — which I might well do, for it did not hold half a pint, and tasted like a 
small wine of Burgundy, but much more delicious. They brought me a second hogs- 
head, which I drank in the same manner and made signs for more; but they had 
none to give me. When I had performed these wonders they shouted for joy and 
danced upon my breast, repeating several times, as they did at first, Hekinati degul. 
They made me a sign that 1 should throw down the two hogsheads, but first warning 
the people below to stand cut of the way, crying aloud, Borach mevolah ; and when 
they saw the vessels in the air there was a universal shout of Hekinah degul. I con- 
fess I was often tempted, while they were passing backward and forward on my 
body, to seize forty or fifty of the first that came in my reach and dash them against 
the ground. But the remembrance of what I had felt — which, probably, might not 
be the worst they could do — and the promise of honor I made tuem, for so 1 inter- 
preted my submissive behavior, soon drove out these imaginations. Beside, I now 
considered myself as bound by the laws of hospitality to a people who had treated 
me with so much expense and magnificence. However, in my thoughts 1 could not 
sufficiently wonder at the intrepidity of these diminutive mortals, who durst venture 
to mount and walk upon my body— while one of my hands was at liberty— without 
trembling at the very sight of so prodigious a creature as I must appear to them. 
After some time, when mey observed that I made no more demands for meat, there 


6 


GULLIVER'S TRAVELS. 


appeared before me a person of high rank from his imperial majesty. His excel- 
lency, having mounted on the small of my right leg, advanced forward up to my 
face with about a dozen of his retinue, and producing his credentials under the sig- 
net royal, which he applied close to my eyes, spoke about ten minutes— without any 
signs of anger, but with a kind of determinate resolution — often pointing forward ; 
which, as I afterward found, was toward the capital city — about half a mile distant 
— whither it was agreed by his majesty, in council, that I must be conveyed. I an- 
swered in few words — but to no purpose — and made a sign with my hand that was 
loose, putting it to the other (but over his excellency’s head, for fear of hurting him 
or his train) and then to my own head and body, to signify that I desired my liberty. 
It appeared that he understood me well enough, for he shook his head by way of dis- 
approbation and held his hand in a posture to show that 1 must be carried as a pris- 
oner. However, he made other signs to let me understand that I should have meat 
and drink enough and very good treatment. Whereupon I once more thought of 
attempting to break my bonds, but again when I felt the smart of their arrows upon 
my face and hands — which were all in blisters and many of the darts still sticking in 
them — and observing, likewise, that the number of my enemies increased, I gave 
tokens to let them know that they might do with me what they pleased. Upon this 
the hurgo and his train withdrew, with much civility and cheerful countenances. 
Soon after I heard a general shout, with frequent repetitions of the w<;rds Peplom, 
selan, and I felt great numbers of people on my leftside relaxing the cords to such a 
degree that I was able to turn upon my right. But before this they had daubed my 
face and both my hands with a sort of ointment, very pleasant to the smell, which, 
in a few minutes, removed all the smart of their arrows. These circumstances, added 
to the refreshment I had received by their victuals and drink — which were very 
nourishing— disposed me to sleep. I slept about eight hours, as I was afterward as- 
sured ; and it was no wonder, for the physicians, by the emperor’s order, had mingled 
a sleepy potion with the hogsheads of wine. 

It seems that, upon the first moment I was discovered sleeping on the ground after 



chine prepared to carry me to the capital city. 

This resolution, perhaps, may appear very bold and dangerous, and I am confident 
would not be imitated by any prince in Europe on the like occasion. However in 
my opinion it was extremely prudent as well as generous ; for, supposing these people 
had endeavored to kill me with their spears and arrows while I was asleep, I should 


--- , - - — uuuiu expect no mercy. 

These people are most excellent mathematicians and arrived to a great perfection 
in mechanics, by the countenance and encouragement of the emperor, who is a re- 


, ,, . , ”, “ me umuer grows, and 

has them carried on these engines three or four hundred yards to the sea Five 

the 
the 

upon the arrival of this engine, wfiich, it seems, set out in four 



40 ^ " ** ZSfZliXZ was half a 


A VOYAGE TO LILLIPU*. 


About four hours after we began onr journey I was awaked bv a very ridiculous 
accident; for, the carriage being stopped awhile to adjust something that was out of 
order, two or three of the young natives had the curiosity to see how I looked when 
I was asleep. They climbed up into the engine, and, advancing very softly to my 
face, one of them — an officer in the guards — put the sharp end of his ha'lf-pike a good 
way up into my left nostril, -which tickled my nose like a straw and made me sneeze 
violently; whereupon they stole off' unperceived, and it was three weeks before I 
knew the cause of my waking so suddenly. We made a long march the remaining 
part of the day and rested at night, with five hundred guards on each side of me — 
half with torches and half with bows and arrows ready to shoot me if I should offer 
to stir. The next morning at sunrise we continued our march and arrived within 
two hundred yards of the city gates about noon. The emperor and all his court 
came out to meet us; but his great officers would by no means suffer his majesty to 
endanger his person by mounting on my body. 

At the place where the carriage stopped there stood an ancient temple — esteemed 
to be the largest in the whole kingdom — which, having been polluted some years be- 
fore by an unnatural murder, was, according to the zeal of those people, looked upon 
as profane, and therefore had been applied to common use and all the ornaments and 
furniture carried away. In this edifice it was determined I should lodge. The 
great gate fronting to the north was about four feet high and almost two feet wide, 
through which I could easily creep. On each side of the gate was a small window, 
not above six inches from the ground ; into that on the left side the king’s smith 
conveyed four score and eleven chains — like those that hang to a lady’s watch in 
Europe and almost as large — which were locked to mv left leg with six and thirty 
padlocks. Over against this temple, on the other side of the great highway, at twenty 
feet distance, there was a turret at least five feet high. Here the emperor ascended 
— with many principal lords of his court — to have an opportunity of viewing me, as 
I was told, tor I could not see them. It was reckoned that above a hundred thou- 
sand inhabitants came out of the town upon the same errand; and, in spite of my 
guards, I believe there could not be fewer than than ten thousand, at several times, 
who mounted my body by the help of ladders ; but a proclamation was soon issued 
to forbid it upon pain of death. When the workmen found it was impossible for me 
to break loose they cut all the strings that bound me; whereupon I rose up, with as 
melancholy a disposition as ever I had in my life. But the noise and astonishment 
of the people, at seeing me rise and walk, are not to be expressed. The chain that 
held my left leg was about two yards long, and gave me not only the liberty of walk- 
ing backward and forward in a semicircle, but, being fixed within four inches of the 
gate, allowed me to creep in and lie at my full length in the temple. 


CHAPTER II. 


'The emperor of Lilli put, attended by several of the nobility, comes to see the author in his confine- 
ment— The emperor’s person and habit dei^cri bed— Learned men appointed to teach <he au iior 
tneir language — He gains favor by his mild disposition— His pockets are searched and his 
sword and pistols taken from him. 

When I found myself on my feet I looked about me, and must confess I never be- 
held a more entertaining prospect. The country around appeared like a continued 
garden, and the enclosed fields, which were generally forty feet square, resembled so 
many beds of flowers. These fields were intermingled with woods of half a stang* 
and the tallest trees, as I could judge, appeared to be .-even feet high. I viewed the 
town on my left hand, which looked like the paint d scenes of a city in a theatre. 

By the time that 1 had walked a few paces the emperor was already descended from 
the tower and advancing on horseback toward me— which had like to have cost him 
dear; for the beast, though very well trained, yet wholly unused to such a sight— 
which appeared as it a mountain moved before him— reared up on his binder leet; 


* A stang is a pole or perch j sixteen leet and a ha J. 


a 


Gulliver's travels. 


but that the prince, who is an excellent horseman, kept his seat till his attend an. s 
ran in and held the bridle while his majesty had time to dismount. When he 
alighted he surveyed me around with great admiration, but kept beyond the length 
of my chain. He ordered his cooks and butlers— who were already prepared— to 
give me victuals and drink, which they pushed forward in a sort of vehicle on 
wheels till I could reach them. I took these vehicles and soon emptied them all. 
Twenty of them were filled with meat and ten with liquor; each of the former af- 
forded me two or three good mouthfuls and I emptied the liquor of ten vessels 
which was contained in earthen vials — into one vehicle, drinking it off at a draught; 
and so I did with the rest. The empress and young princes of the blood of both 
sexes, attended by many ladies, sat at some distance in their chairs ; but upon the 
accident that happened to the emperor’s horse they alighted and came near his per- 
son — which I am now going to describe. He is taller, by almost the breadth of my 
nail, than any of his court; which alone is enough to strike an awe into the behold- 
ers. His features are strong and masculine, with an Austrian lip and arched nose, 
his complexion olive, his countenance erect, his body and limbs well proportioned, 
all his motions graceful and his deportment majestic. He was then past his prime, 
being twenty-eight years and three quarters old — of which he had reigned about 
seven in great felicity and generally victorious. For the better convenience of be- 
holding him I lay on my side, so that my face was parallel to his, and he stood but 
three yards off; however, I have had him since many times in my hand, and there- 
fore cannot be deceived in the description. His dress was very plain and simple, 
and the fashion of it between the Asiatic and the European ; but he had on his head 
a light helmet of gold adornd with jewels and a plume on the crest. He held his 
sword drawn in his hand, to defend himself if I should happen to break loose; it 
was almost three inches long ; the hilt and scabbard were gold, enriched with dia- 
monds. His voice was shrill, but very clear and articulate, and I could distinctly 
hear it when I stood up. The ladies and courtiers were all most magnificently clad; 
so that the spot they stood upon seemed to resemble a petticoat spread on the 
ground, embroidered with figures of gold and silver. His imperial majesty spoke 
often to me, and I returned answers; but neither of us could understand a syllable. 
There were several of his priests and lawyers present (as I conjectured by their hab- 
its), who were commanded to address themselves to me, and I spoke to them in as 
many languages as I had the least smattering of — which were High and Low Dutch, 
Latin, French, Spanish, Italian and Lingua Franca — but all to no purpose. Alter 
about two hours the court retired and I was left with a strong guard, to prevent the 
impertinence — and probably the malice — of the rabble, who were very impatient to 
crowd about me as near as they durst; and some of them had the impudence to 
shoot their arrows at me as I sat on the ground by the door of my house, whereof 
one very narrowly missed my left eye. But the colonel ordered six of the ringlead- 
ers to be seized, and thought no punishment so proper as to deliver them bound 
into my hands ; which some of the soldiers accordingly did, pushing them forward 
with the butt-ends of their pikes into my reach. I took them all in my right hand, 
put five of them into my coat pocket, and as for the sixth, I made a countenance as 
if I would eat him alive. The poor man squalled terribly and the colonel and his 
officers were in much pain, especially when they saw me take out my penknife. But 
I soon put them out of fear; for, looking mildly and immediately cutting the strings 
he was bound with, I set him gently on the ground and away he ran. I treated the 
rest in the same manner, taking them one by one out of my pocket ; and I observed 
both the soldiers and the people were highly delighted at this mark of my clemency, 
which was represented very much to my advantage at court. 

Toward night I got with some difficulty into my house, where I lay on the ground 
— and continued to d<5 so about a fortnight; during which time the emperor gave 
orders to have a bed prepared for me. Six hundred beds* of the common measure 
were brought in carriages and worked up in my house. A hundred and fifty of their 
beds, sewn together, make up the breadth and length, and these were four double— 
which, however, kept me but very indifferently from the hardness of the floor, that 
was of smooth stone. By the same computation they provided me with sheets, 


* Gulliver lias observed great exactness in the just proportion and appearance of the ,>l iecl* 
thus lessened. . - 


A VOYAGE TO LILLIPUT. 


9 


blankets and coverlets, tolerable enough for one who had been so long inured to 
hardships. 

As the ne ws of my arrival spread through the kingdom it brought prodigious num- 
bers— rich, idle and curious people — to see me ; so that the villages were almost emp- 
tied, and great neglect of tillage and household affairs must have ensued if his imperial 
majesty had not provided, by several proclamations and orders of state, against this 
inconvenince. He directed that those who had already beheld me should return 
home, and not presume to come within fifty yards of my house without license from 
the court — whereby the secretary of state got considerable fees. 

In the meantime the emperor held frequent councils, to debate what course should 
be taken with me; and I was afterward assured, by a particular friend, a person of 
great quality, who was as much in the secret as any, that the court were under many 
difficulties concerning me. They apprehended my breaking loose; that my diet 
would be very .expensive, and might cause a famine. Sometimes they determined 
to starve me, or at least to shoot me in the face and hands with poisonous arrows, 
which would soon despatch me. In the midst of these consultations, several officers 
©f the army went to the door of the great council-chamber, and two of them being 
admitted, gave an account of my behavior to the six criminals above mentioned; 
which made so favorable an impression in the breast of his majesty, and the whole 
board, in my behalf, that an imperial commission was issued out, obliging all the 
villagers, nine hundred yards around the city, to deliver in every morning six beeves, 
forty sheep, and other victuals, for my sustenance, together with a proportionable 
quantity of bread, and wine, and other liquors; for the due payment of which his 
majesty gave assignments upon his treasury, for this prince lives chiefly upon his 
own demesnes, seldom, except upon great occasions, raising any subsidies upon his 
subjects, who are bound to attend him in his wars at their own expense. An estab- 
lishment was also made of six hundred persons to be my domestics, who had board- 
wages allowed for their maintenance, and tenrts built for them, very conveniently, on 
each side of my door. It was likewise ordered, that three hundred tailors should make 
me a suit of clothes, after the fashion of the country; that six of his majesty’s great- 
est scholars should be employed to instruct me in their language; and lastly, that 
tire emperor’s horses, and those of the nobility and troops of guards, should be fre- 
quently exercised in my sight, to accustom themselves to me. All these orders were 
duly put in execution, and in about three weeks I made great progress in learning 
their language; during which time the emperor frequently honored me with his 
visits, and was pleased to assist my masters in teaching me. We began already to 
converse together in some sort; and the first words I learned were to express my 
desire “ that he would be pleased to give me my liberty; ” which I every day repeat- 
ed on my knees. His answer, as I could apprehend it, was, “That this must be a 
work of time, not to be thought on without the advice of his council, and that first 
I must lumos kelmin pesso desinar Ion emposa;” that is, swear a peace with him and 
his kingdom. However, that I should be used with all kindness. And he advised 
me to “acquire by my patience and discreet behavior the good opinion of himself 
and his subjects.” He desired, “I would not take it ill if he gave orders to certain 
proper officers to search me, for probably I might carry about me several weapons, 
which must needs be dangerous things, if they answered the bulk of so prodigious 
a person.” I said, “ His majesty should be satisfied ! for I was ready to strip myself 
and turn out my pockets before him.” This I delivered, part in words and part in 
si'Mis. He replied, “that by the laws of the kingdom, I must be searched by two 
of°hi*s officers; that he knew this could not be done without my consent and assist- 
ance; and he had so good an opinion of my generosity and justice as to trust their 
persons in my hands; that whatever they took from me should be returned when I 
left the country, or paid lor, at the rate which I would set upon them.” I took up 
the two officers in my hands, put them first into my coat-pockets, and then into 
every other pocket about me, except my two fobs, and another secret pocket, which 
I had no mind should be searched, wherein I had some little necessaries that were 
of no consequence to any but myself. In one of my fobs there was a silver watch, 
ami in the other a small quantity of gold in a purse. These gentlemen, having pens, 
ink and paper about them, made an exact inventory of every thing they saw; and 
wheu they had done, desired I would set them down, that they might deliver it to 
the emperor. This inventory I afterward translated into English, and is word 
for word as follows: 


io 


GULLIVER’S TRAVELS. 


“Imprimis, In the right coat-pocket of the great man-mountain (for go I interpret 
the words quinbus flestrin), after the strictest search, we found only one great piece 
of coarse cloth, large enough to be a foot cloth for your majesty s chief room ox state. 
In the left pocket we saw a huge silver chest, with a cover of the same metal, 'which 
we, the searchers, were not abie to lift. We desired it should be opened, and one ot 
us stepping into it found himself up tc tne mid-leg in a sort of dust, some Pj trfc 
whereof flying up in to our faces set us botn a sneezing for several times together. Jn his 
right waistcoat-pocket we found a prodigious bundle of white, t in substance, folded 
one over the other, about the bigness ox three men, tied with \ strong cab e, and 
marked with black figures, which we humbly con eive to be >\ ritings, every letter al- 
most half as large as the palm of our hands. In tile left there was a s*>j t of engine, from 
the back of which were extended twenty long po.es, resembling the p-disadoes be- 
fore your mnj-'S y’s court; wnere »ith we conjecture the man-mountain combs his 
head, for we di 1 not lways trouble him with c u3Siior3, because we toune. it a great 
difficulty to m ke him understand us. In the lar n e pocket on the right side of his 
middle cover (so 1 translate the word ranfu-lo, by wn ch th* y meant my breeches), 
we saw a no b<w pii.ar of iron, auo.it ilie leugt.i of a in . n, fastened o a strong piece 
of timber larger t.ian the pil.a ; ; n 1 upon ,.ne s.de of tile pi i r we e . uge pieces 
of iron sticR ng out, cut into str nge figu.es, w.ica we r.n <w not v, at to make of. 
In the le.t poeRet, another engine of the same kind. in tne sm Her po ket on t ie 
right side were several round, flat pieces of wnite and red metal, of different bu k; 
soin • oi the white, winch seemed io oe silver, were so large and heavy that my com- 
rade and I coul . hardxy lift them. In tae left pocket were two b-ac.< pillars irregu- 
larly shaped; ve could not, without difficulty, reach the top of them, as we stood at 
toe bottom of his pocket. One' of them was covered, and seemed ail of a p.ece; but 
at the upper end of tne other there appeared a white, round suostance, about twice 
the bid ess of our heads. Within eacn of tuese was euclosea a prouigious plate of 
steel, which, by our orders, we obliged him to show us, because we apprehended 
they might be dangerous engines. He took them out of the r cases, and told us that 
in Ins o wn country his practice was to shave his beard with one of these, and cut his 
meat with tiie other. There were two pockets which we could not enter; these he 
ca led his fobs ; they were two large slits cut into the tops of his middle cover, but 
squeezed close by tiie press ire of his body. Out of the, right fob hung a great silver 
cnain, with a wonderful kind of engine at the bottom. We directed him to draw 
out wnatever was at the end of that chain, which appeared to be a glone, half silver, 
and half of some transparent metal; for, on the transparent side, we saw certain 
Strange figures circu.arly drawn, and thought we cou.d touch them, till we found 
our fingers stopped by that lucid substance. He put this engine to our ears, which 
made an incessant noise, like that of a water-miii, and we conjecture it is either some 
unknown animal, or tae god that he worships; but we are more inclined to the fat- 
ter op.nion, because he assured us (if we understood him correctly, for lie expressed 
himself very imperfectly), ihat he seldom did anything without consulting it. He 
called it his oracle, and said it pointed out the time for every action of his life.~ 
From the left fob he took out a net almost large enough for u fisherman, but con- 
trived to open and shut like a purse, and served him ior the same use; we found 
therein several massy pieces of yellow metal, which if they be real gold, must be of 
immense value. 

‘ Having thus, in obedience to your majesty’s commands, diligently searched all 
his pockets, we observed a girdle about his waist made ot the hide of some prodi- 
gious animal, from which, on the left side, hung a sword of the length of five men* 
and on the right, a bag or pouch divided into two cells, each cell capable of holding 
three of your majesty’s subjects. In one of these cells were several globes, or balls 
of a most ponderous metal, about the bigness of our heads, and required a strong 
hand to lift them ; the other cell contained a heap of certain black grains, but of no 
great bulk or weight, for we could hold above fifty of them in the panms of our 
hands. 

‘ This is an exact inventory of what we found about the body of the man-moun- 
tain, who used us with great civility and due respect to your majesty's commission. 


* The author seems to intend to show the probable fallacy of opinions derived from Ihc reports 
at travelers, by showing how little truth need be represented to make falsehoods specious. 


A VOYAGE TO LILLIPUT. 


II 


Signed and sealed on the fourth day of the eighty-ninth moon of your majesty’s 
auspicious reign. 

“Ol/EFRIN FRELOCK. 

“Marsi Frelock.” 

When this inventory was read over to the emperor, he directed me, although in 
very gentle terms, to deliver up the several particulars. He first called for my 
scimitar, which I took out, scab hard and all. In the meantim , he ordered three 
thousand of the choicest troops (who then attended him) to surround me at a dis- 
tance, with their bows and arrows just ready to discharge; but i d.d not observe it, 
for mine eyes were wholly fixed upon his majesty. He t.:en desired me to draw my 
scimitar, wh,ch, although it had got some rust by the sea-water, was in most parts 
exceedingly bright. I did so, and immediately all the troops gave a shout be: ween 
terror and surprise, for the sun shone clear, and the reflection dazzled their eyes, as 
I waved t.ie scimitar to and fro in my hand. His majesty, who is a most magn ni- 
m us prince, was less d muted than I could expect; he ordered me to r. tarn it ’>to 
the scabbard, and cast it on the ground as gently as I couid, abo it six feet from the 
end of my c.iain. The next thin he demanded was one of the hollow iro pillars; 
by wh ch he meant my poe .et-pisto s. I drew it out, and at his lies. re, as well as I 
could, expresse i to him tne use of it; and charging it oniv with powder, which, by 
the closeness of my pouch, happened to escape wetting iu the sea (,.n inconvenience 
against which ail prudent mar ners take special care t > provide), i first cautioned 
the emperor not to be afraid, and then 1 let it oil' in ue air. T.;e astonishment 
was much greater here than at the sigat of the scimitar. Hundreds fel. uown as if 
they had been struck dead; and even the emperor, although he stood his ground, 
could not recover him elf tor some time. 1 delivered up botn my pistols in the same 
manner as I had done my cimitar, and then my pouch of powuer and t u lets, beg- 
ging him that the former might be kept iro 1 fire, for it would kindle with the 
sma'lest spark, and blow up his imperial palace into the air. i likewise deliveied 
up my watc.i, which the emperor was very curious to see, and commanded two of 
his tallest yeomen of the guards to bear it on a pole on their shoulders, as draymen 
in England do a barrel of ale. He was amazed at the continual noise it made, and 
the motion of the minute-hand, which he could easily discern, for their sight is 
much more acute than ours. He asked the opi ions of his learned men about it, 
which were various and remote, as the reader may well imagine with o> it my repeat- 
ing; although, indeed, I could not very perfectly understand them. I then gave up 
my silver and copper money, inv purse with nine large pieces of gold and some 
smaller ones; my knife and razor my comb and silver suuff-hox, my handkerchief 
and journal-book. My scimit.tr, pistols and pouch were conveyed in carriages to 
his majesty’s stores; but the rest of my goods were returned me. 

I had, as I before observed, one private pocket which escaped their search, where- 
in there was a pair of spectacles (which I sometimes use for the weakness of mine 
eyes), a pocket perspective, and some other little conveniences; which, being of no 
consequence to the emperor, I did not think myself bound in hono«* to discover, and 
I apprehended they might be lost or spoiled if I venturued theta out of my pos- 
session. 


CHAPTER III. 

The author diverts the emperor, and his nobility of both sexes, In a very uncommon manner— 
The diversions of the court ot Liiiiput described— 1 he author has his liberty granted him 
upon certain conditions. 

My gentleness and good behavior had gained so far on the emperor and his court, 
and indeed upon the army and people in general, that I began to conceive hopes of 
getting my liberty in a short time. I took all possible methods to cultivate this 
favorable disposition. The natives came, by degrees, to be less apprehensive of any 
danger from me; I would sometimes lie down and let five or six of them dance oil 
my head ; and at last the boys and girls would venture to come and play at hide and 
seek in my hair. I had now made good progress in understanding and speaking^ 
their language. The emperor had a mind one day to entertain me with several of* 


12 


GULLIVER’S TRAVELS. 


the country shows, wherein they exceeded all nations I have known, both for dex- 
terity and magnificence. I was diverted with none so much as that of the rope- 
dancers, performed upon aslender white thread extended about two feet, and twelve 
inches from the ground, upon which I shall desire liberty, with the reader s patience, 
to enlarge a little. 

This diversion is only practiced by those persons who are candidates for great em- 
ployments and high favor at court. They are trained in this art from their vouth, 
and are not always of noble birth or liberal education. When a great office is 
vacant, either by death or disgrace (which often happens), five or six. of those can- 
didates petition the emperor to entertain his majesty and the court with a dance on 
the rope; and whoever jumps the highest, without falling, succeeds in the office. 
Very often the chief ministers themselves are commanded to show their skill, and 
to convince the emperor that they have not lost their faculty. . Flimnap, the treasu- 
rer, is allowed to cut a caper on the straight rope, at least an inch higher than any 
other lord in the whole empire. I have seen him do the summerset* several times 
together, upon a trencher fixed on a rope which is no thicker than a common pack- 
thread in England. My friend Iteidresal, principal secretary for private affairs, is, 
in my opinion, if I am not partial, the second after the treasurer; the rest of the 
great officers are much upon a par. 

These diversions are often attended with fatal accidents, whereof great numbers 
are on record. I myself have seen two or three candidates break a limb. But the 
danger is much greater when the ministers themselves are commanded to show their 
detexerity; for, by contending to excel themselves and their fellows, they strain so 
far that there is hardly one of them who has not received a fall, and some of them two 
or three. 1 was assured that, a year or two before my arrival, Flimnap would infal- 
libly have broken his neck, if one of the king’s cushions, that accidentally lay on 
the ground, had not weakened the force of his fall. ■ — 

There is likewise another diversion, which is only shown before the emperor and 
empress, and first minister, upon particular occasions. The emperor lays on the 
table three fine silken threads of six inches long; one is blue, the other red, and the 
third green. These threads are proposed as prizes for those persons whom the em- 
peror has a mind to distinguish by a peculiar mark of his favor. The ceremony is 
perfojrmed in his majesty’s great chamber of state, where the candidates are to un- 
dergo a trial of dexterity, '.try different from the former, and s^eli as I have not 
observed the least resemblance of in any country of the new or old world. The em- 
peror holds a stick in his hands, both ends parallel to the horizon, while the candi- 
dates advancing, one by one, sometimes leap over the stick, sometimes creep 
under it, backward and forward several times, according as the stick is advanced or de- 
pressed. Sometimes the emperor holds one end of the stick and his first minister 
the other; sometimes the minister has it entirely to himself. Whoever performs his 
part with the most agility and holds out the longest in leaping and creeping, is re- 
warded with the blue-colored silk; the red is given to the next, and the green to 
the third, ,.hich they all wear girt twice about the middle ; and you see few great 
person? about this court who are not adorned with one of these girdles. 

The horses of the army and those of the royal stables having been daily led before 
me, were no longer shy, but would come up to my very feet without starting. The 
riders would leap them over my hand, as 1 held it on the ground; and one of the 
emperor’s huntsmen, upon a large courser, took my foot, shoe and all, which was 
indeed a prodigious leap. I had thfe good fortune' to divert the emperor one day 
after a very extraordinary manner. I desired he would order several sticks of two 
feet high, and the thickness of an ordinary cane, to be brought me; whereupon his 
majesty commanded the master of his woods to give directions accordingly, and the 
next morning six woodmen arrived with as many carriages drawn by eight horses to 
each. I took nine of these sticks, and fixing them firmly in the ground in a quad- 
rangular figure, two feet and a half square, I took four other sticks and tied them 
parallel at each corner about two feet from the ground; then 1 fastened my handker- 
chief to the nine stick;: that stood erect, and extended it on all sides till it was as tight 
as the top of a drum; and the four parallel sticks, rising about five inches higher than 
the handkerchief, served as ledges on each side. When I had finished my work, I 


* Summerset or summersault, a gambol of a tumbler, in which he springs up, turns heels over 
fieao in tne air, ami comes down upon his feet.— O bioinal. 


A VOYAGE TO LILLIPUT. 


13 


desired the emperor to let a troor> of his best horses, twenty-four in number, come 
and exercise upon this plain. Ilis majesty approved of the proposal, and I took 
them up, one by one, in my hands, ready mounted and armed, \\ ith the proper of- 
ficers to exercise them. As soon as they got into order they divided into two parties, 
performed mock sk.rmishes, discharged blunt arrows, drew their swords, fled and 
pursued, attacked and retired, and in short, discovered the best military discipline I 
ever beheld. The parallel sticks secured them and their horses from ailing over the 
stage; and the emperor was so much delighted that he ordered this entertarnment to 
be repeated several days, and was once pleased to be lifted up and give the word of 
command ; and with great difficulty persuaded even the empress herself to let me 
hold her in her close chair within two yards of the stage, lvhen she was able to take 
a full view of the whole performance. It was my good fortune that no ill accident 
happened in these entertainments; only once, a fiery horse that belonged to one of 
the captains, pawing -with his hoof, struck a hole in my handkerchief, and his foot 
slipping, he overthrew his rider and himself; but I immediately relieved them both, 
and covering the hole with one hand I set down the troop with the other, in the 
same manner as I took them up. The horse that fell was strained in the left shoul- 
der, but the driver got no hurt; and I repaired my handkerchief as well as I could; 
however, I would not trust the strength of it any more, in such dangerous enterprises. 

About two or three days before I was set at liberty, as I was entertaining the eourt 
with this kind of feats, there arrived an express to inform his majesty tnar some of 
his subjects, riding near the place where I was first taken up, had seen a great, black 
substance lying on the ground, very oddly shaped, extending its edges round, as 
wide as his majesty bedchamber, and rising up in the middle as high as a man ; that 
it was no living creature, as they at first apprehended, for it lay on the grass without 
motion; and some of them had walked around it several times; that, by mounting 
upon each other's shoulders, they had got to the top, which was flat and even, and 
stamping upon it they found that it was hollow within; that they humbly conceived 
it might be something belonging to the man-mountain ; and if his majesty pleased, 
they would undertake to bring it with only five horses. I presently knew what they 
meant, and was glad at heart to receive this intelligence. It seems, upon my reaching 
the shore after our shipwreck, 1 was in such confusion, that before I came to the place 
where I went to sleep, my hat, which, I had fastened with a string to ray head, while 
I was rowing, ana had stuck on all the time I was swimming, fell off after I came to 
land; the string, as I conjecture, breaking by some accident, which I never observed, 
but thought my hat had been lost at sea. I entreated his imperial majesty to give 
orders it might be brought to me as soon as possible, describing to him the use and 
nature of it ; and the next day the wagoners arrived with it, but not in a very good 
condition; they had bored two holes in the brim, within an inch and a half of the 
edge, and fastened two hooks in the holes; these hooks were tied by a long cord to 
the harness, and thus, my hat was dragged along for above half an English mile ; but, 
the ground in that country being extremely smooth and level, it received less dam- 
age than I expected. 

Two days after this adventure the emperor, having ordered that part of his army 
which quarters in and about his metropolis, to be in readiness, took a fancy of di- 
verting himself in a very singular manner. He desired I would stand like a Colos- 
sus, with my legs as fur asunder as I conveniently could. He then commanded his 
general (who was an old, experienced leader and a great patron of mine) to draw up 
the troops in close order, and march them under me; the foot by twenty-four abreast 
and the horse by sixteen, with drums beating, colors flying, and pikes advanced. 
This body consisted of three thousand foot, and a thousand horse. 

I had sent so many memorials and petitions Sor my liberty, that his majesty at 
length mentioned the matter, first in the cabinet and then in a full council; where 
it was opposed by none, except Skyresh Bolgolam, who was pleased, without any 
provocation, to be my mortal enemy. But it was carried against him by the whole 
board, and confirmed by the emperor. That minister was galbet, or admiral of the 
realm, very much in his master’s confidence, and a person well versed in affairs, but 
of a morose and sour complexion. However, he was at length persuaded to comply, 
bnt prevailed that the articles and conditions upon which I should be set free, and 
to which I must swear, should be drawn up by himself. These articles were brought 
to me by Skyresh Bolgolam in person, attended by two under-secretaries and several 
persons of distinction. After they were read I was demanded to swear to the per- 


14 


gttluveb’s tbavels. 


formance of them: first In the manner of my own county, and afterward in the 
method ; reserved by their laws* which was, to hold my right toot in my iett nana 
- ~ ^ +k^, finnov r\i jjiy right hand on the crown of my head, and y 

But because the reader may be curious to have some 



the earth shake their knees; pleasant as the spring, comfortable as the summer, 
fruitful as autumn, dreadful as the winter. His most sublime majesty proposes to 
the man-mountain, lately arrived at our celestial dominions, the following articles, 
which, by a solemn oath, he shall be obliged to perform : .. 

“I, The man-mountain shad not depart from our dominions without our license 
under our great seal. 

“II. Hesm 
at which time 
“III. Toes 

and not oiler to walk, or lie down, in a meadow or field of corn. 

“IV. As he wa.ks the said roa is he shall take the utmost care not to trample 




every 
perial presence. 

“VI. He shall be our ally against our enemies, in the inland of Blefuscu,'* and 
do his utmost to destroy their fleet, which is now preparing to invade us. _ 

“VII. That the said man-mountain shall, at liis time of leisure, be aiding and as- 
sisting to our workmen, in helping to raise certain great stones, toward covering the 
wall of the principal park, and other our royal buildings. 

“VIII. That the said man-mountain shall, in two moans’ time, deliver in an ex- 
act survey of the circumference of our dominions, by a computation of his own 
paces around the coast. 

“Lastly. That, upon his solemn oath to observe all the above articles, the said 
man-mountain shall have a dai.y allowance of meat and drink sufficient for the 
support of 1728 of our subjects, with free access to our royal person, and other 
marks of our favor. Given at our palace at Belfaborac, the tweLta day of the nine- 
ty-first moon of our reign.” 

I swore and subscribed to these articles with great cheerfulness and content, al- 
though some of them were not so honorable as I could have washed; which proceeded 
wholly from the malice of Skyresh Bolgolam, the high-admiral; whereupon my chains 
were immediately unlocked, and I was at full liberty. The emperor himself, in person, 
did me the honor to be by at the whole ceremony. I made my acknowledgements 
by prostrating myself at his majesty’s feet; but he commanded me to rise, and after 
many gracious expressions, winch, to avoid the censure of vanity, I shall not repeat, 
he added, “ That he hoped I should prove a useful servant, and well deserve all the 
favors he had already conferred upon me, or might do for the future.” 

The render may please to observe, that in the last article of the recovery of my 
liberty, the emperor stipulates to allow me a quantity of meat and drink sufficient 
for the suppoyt of 1728 Lilliputians. Some time after, asking a friend at court how 
they came to fix on that determinate number, he told me that his majesty’s math- 
ematicians, having taken the height of my body by the help of a quad -ant, and 
finding it to exceed theirs in proportion of twelve to one, they concluded, from the 
similarity of their bodies, that mine must contain at least 1728 of theirs, and conse- 
quently would require us much food as was necessary to support that number of 


* In his description of Lilliput, he seems to have had England more immediately to view. In 
his description of Ele/uscu, he seems to intend the people and kingdom of France. — Orrery. 


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A VOYAGE TO LILLIPUT. 


17 


Lilliputians. By which the reader may conceive an idea of the ingenuity of this 
people, as well as the prudent and exact economy of so great a prince. 


CHAPTER IV. 

Mildendo, tbe metropolis of Lilliput, described, together with the emperor's palace — A conver- 
sation between the author and the principal secretary, concerning the affairs of that empire — 
'lhe author offers to serve the emperor in his wars. 

The first request I made, after I had obtained my liberty, was, that I might have 
license to see Mildendo, the metropolis, which the emperor easily granted me, but 
with a special charge to do no hurt either to the inhabitants or their houses. The peo- 
ple had notice, by proclamation, of my design to visit the town. The wall which en- 
compassed it is two feet and a half high, and at least eleven inches broad, so that a 
coach and horses may be driven very safely around it ; and it is flanked with strong 
towers at ten feet distance. I stepped over the great western gate, »nd passed very gen- 
tly and sideling through the two principal streets only in my short waistcoat, for fear 
of damaging the roofs and eaves of the houses with the skirts of my coat. I walked 
with the utmost circumspection, to avoid treading on any stragglers who misfit re- 
main in the streets; although the orders were very strict that all people should keep 
in their houses, at their own peril. The garret windows and tops of houses were so 
crowded with spectators, that I thought in all my travels I had not seen a more pop- 
ulous place. The city is an exact square, each side of the wall being five hundred 
feet long. The two great streets which run across and divide it into four quarters, 
are five feet wide. The lanes and alleys, which I could not enter, but only viewed 
them as I passed, are from twelve to eighteen inches. The town is capable of hold- 
ing five hundred thousand souls; the houses are from three to five stories; the shops 
and markets well provided. 

The emperor’s palace is in the center of the city, where the two great streets meet. 
It is enclosed by a wall of two feet high and twenty feet distant from the building. 
I had his majesty’s permision to step over this wall, and the space bein" so wide be- 
teen that and the palace I could easily view it on every side. The outward court is 
a square of forty feet, and includes two other courts ; in the inmost are the royal 
apartments, which I was very desirous to see but found it extremely difficult, for the 
great gates from one square into another were but eighteen inches high and seven 
inches wide. Now, the buildings of the outer court were at least five feet high, and 
it was impossible for me to stride over them without infinite damage to the pile, 
though the walls were strongly built of hewn stone and four inches thick. At the 
same time the emperor had a great desire that I should see the magnificence of his 
palace; but this I was notable to do till three days after, which I spent in cutting 
down, with my knife, some of the largest trees in the royal park about a hundred 
yards’ distance from the city. Of these trees I made two s ools, each about three 
feet high and strong enough to bear my weight. The people having received notice 
a second time, I went again through the city to the palace with my stools in mv 
hands. When I came to the side of the outer court I stood upon one stool and took 
the other in my hand; this I lifted over the roof and gently set it down on the space 
between the first and second court, which was eight feet wide. I then stepped over 
the building very conveniently from one stool to the other and drew up the first 
after me with a hooked stick. By this contrivance I got into the inner court, and, 
lying down upon my side, I applied my face to the windows of the middle stories— 
which were left open on purpose — and discovered the most splendid apartments that 
could be imagined. There I saw the empress and the young princes in their several 
lodgings, with their chief attendants about them. Her imperial majesty was pleased 
to smile very graciously upon me and gave me, out of the window, her hand to kiss. 

But I shall not anticipate the reader with further descriptions of this kind, be- 
cause I reserve them for a greater work— which is now almost ready for the press- 
containing a general description of this empire, from its first erection through a long 
series of princes ; with a particular account of their wars and politics, laws, learning 
and religion, their plants and animals, their peculiar manners and customs, with 
other matters very curious and useful ; my chief design at present being only to re- 


18 


GULLIVER’S TRAVELS. 


late such events and transactions as happened to the public Of to myself during a 
residence of about nine months in that empire. . . 

One morning, about a fortnight after I had obtained my liberty, Kelaresal, princi* 
pal secretary (as they style him) for private affairs, came to my house attended only 
by one servant. He ordered his coach io wait at a distance and desired I would 
give him an hour’s audience; which I readily consented to, on account of his quality 
and personal merits as well as of the many good offices he had done me during my 
solic.tations at court. I offered to lie down, that h i might the more conveniently 
reach my ear; but he chose rather to Jet me hold him in my hand during our con- 
versation. He began with compliments on my liberty, said “he might pretend to 
some merit in it.” but, however, added “that if it had not been for the present si’u- 
ation oi things at court perhaps I might not have obtained it so soon. For,” said he, 
“ as flourishing a condition as we may appear t > be in to foreigners, we labor under 
two m ghty evi s: a violent faction at borne, and the danger of an invasion by a most 
po ent enj my from abroad. As to the first, you are to understand that for above 
seventy moons past there have b en two struggling parties in this empire, under the 
name Tr tmec/cs in and S^amecksan, from the high and low heels of their shoes, by 
which they distinguish themselves. It is alleged, indeed, that the high heels are 
most agreea hi ; to oar ancient constitution; but, however th s be, his majesty has de- 
termined to make use o ily of low hoe s .n the aim nist ation of the government and 
all offices in the g..t of t.ie crown, as you cannot but obs >rve — and particularly that 
li s mijes.y’s impe.ial heels are lower, by at load a drnrr, than any of his courr. 
( D 'urr is a m ‘a ...re about t le fourteenth part of a 1 inc.i.) The animosities between 
t.iese two parties run so high that they w.ll noit ler eat, n >r dr.nk, nor talk with eac i 
ot i -r. Wo compute the TramecJxan, or liig i h els, to excee i us in number, but the 
po.ver is wholly on our s do. We apprehend his imperial highness, the heir to t .e 
crown, to have some tendency towar l tho liigli heels — it 1 ast, we c n p ainly dis- 
c -ver that one of his heels is hi ;ker th m the o.ker, wki h Ives him a hobble in his 
gait. Now, in the miust of these intestine disquiets, we arc threatened w.th an in- 
vasion from the island of Blefuseu; whieh is the other great empire of the universe, 
almO't a - large and powerful as t .is of his majes y. For, as to what we have heard 
you affirm — that there are otuer kingdoms anil s ates i:i the world, inhabited by hu- 
man c eatures as large as yourself — our philosophers are in much doubt, and would 
radter conj eture that you dropped from the moon or one of tne sta.s; because it is 
certain tnat a hundred mortals of your bulk would, iu a short time, destroy all the 
fruits and cattle of his majesty’s dominions; besides, our h. stories of six thous nd 
moo s mare no mention of any other regions than tne two great empires of Lilliput 
and Blefuseu. Which two mighty powers have, as I was going to tell you, been en- 
gaged in a most obstinate war tor dx and thir.y moons past. It begun upon, the fol- 
lowing occasion : It is allowed, on all l.ands, that the primitive way of breaking eggs, 
before we eat them, w.is upon tne larger end ; but his majesty’s grandfather, while he 
was a boy, going t > eat an erg — and breaking it according to tne ancient practice — 
happened to cut one of liis fingers; whereupon the emperor, his father, published an 
edict commanding all his subjects, upon great penalt ep to break the smaller end of 
their eggs. Tne people so h ghly resented this law that, our histories tell us, there 
have Ken six rebeli.ous r ised on that account; wherein one emperor lost his life 
and anotner his crown. Tnese civil commotions were constantly fomented by the 
raonarchs or Blefuseu, and when they were quelled t ie exiles always fled for refuge 
to that empire. It is computed that eleven tnousand persons have, at several times, 
suffered death rather than submit to break their eggs at the smaller end. Many 
hundred large volumes have been published upon this controversy, but the books of 
the Big-endians have been long forb.dden and the whole party rendered incapable by 
law of holding employments. During the course of these troubles the emperors of 
Blefuseu did frequently expostulate by their ambasadors ; accusing us of making a 
schism in religion, by offending again t a fundamental doctrine of our great prophet 
Lustrog, in tne fifty-fourth chapter of the Blundecral— which is their Alcoran. This, 
however, is thought to be a mere strain upon the text; for the words are these: that 
all true believers break their eggs at the convenient end; and which is the conveni- 
ent end seems, in my humble opinion, to be left to every man’s conscience or, at 

least, in the power of the chief magistrate to determine. Now, the Big-endian exiles 
have found so much credit in the emperor of Blefuscu’s court, and so much private 
assistance and encouragement from their private party here at home, that a bloody 


A VOYAGE TO LILLIPTJT. 


id 

•*var hns been carried on between the two empires for six and thirty moons with 
Yaried success; during which time we have lost forty capital ships and a much 
greater number of smaller vessels, together with thirty thousand of our best seamen 
and soldiers, and the damage received by the enemy is reckoned to be somewhat 
greater than ours. However, they have now equipped a numerous fleet and are just 
preparing to make a descent upon us; and his imperial majesty, placing great confi- 
dence in your valor and strength, lias commanded -me to lay this account of his 
affairs before you.” 

I desired the secretary to present my humble duty to the emperor, and to let him 
know “that I thought it would not become me, who was a foreigner, to interfere 
with parties ; but I was ready, with the hazard of my life, to defend his person and 
state against all invaders.” 


CHAPTER Y. 

The author, by rn extra ovrM nary ptratarera, prevents an invasion — A high title of honor is eon- 
isr ed u on i im — .imbassadois arrivo fiom ihe emperor Blefi scu and sue for pence — The 
empress’s apartments on tire by accident; we author instrumental in saving the re^t of the 
paiace. 

The empire of Blefuscu is an island situated to the northeast of Lilliput, from 
which it is parted only by a channel of eight hundred yards wide. I had not yet 
seen it, and upon this notice of an intended invasion I avoided appearing on that 
side of the coast, for fear of being discovered by some of the enemy’s ships, who had 
received no intelligence of me — all intercourse between the two empires having been 
strictly forbidden during the war upon pain of death, and an embargo laid by our 
emperor upon all vessels whatsoever. I communicated to his majesty a project I had 
formed ot seizing the enemy’s whole fleet — wlii h, as our scouts assured us, lay at 
anchor in the harbor ready to sail with the first lair w nd. I consulted the most ex- 
perienced seamen upon the depth of the channel — which they had often plumbed — 
who told me that in the middle, at high water, it was seventy glumgluffs deep — which 
is about six feet of European measure — and the rest of it fifty glumgluffs at most. I 
walked toward the north-east coast, over against Blefuscu; where, lying down behind 
a hillock, I took out my small pex*spective glass and viewed the enemey’s fleet at an- 
chor, consisting of about fifty men of war and a great number of transports. I then 
came back to njy house an l gave orders (for which I had a warrant) for a great 
quantity of the strongest cable and bars of iron. The cable was about as thick as 
packthread and the bars of the length and size of a knitting-needle. I trebled the 
cable, to make it stronger, and for the same reason I twisted three of the iron bars 
together, bending the extremities into a hook. Having thus fixed fifty hooks to as 
many cables I went back to the north-east coast and, putting off my coat, shoes and 
stockings, walked into the sea in my leathern jerkin about half an hour before high 
water. I waded with what haste I could, and swam in the middle about thirty yards 
till I felt ground. I arrived at the fleet in less than half an hour. The enemy were 
so frightened when they saw me that they leaped out of their ships and swam to 
shore — where there could not be fewer than thirty thousand souls. I then took my 
tackling and, fastening a hook to the hole at the prow of each, I tied all the cords 
together at the end. While I was thus employed the enemy discharged several 
thousand arrows; many of which stuck in my hands and face and — beside the exces- 
sive smart — gave me much disturbance in my work. My greatest apprehension was 
for mine eyes, which I should have infallibly lost i I had not suddenly thought of 
an expedient. I kept — among other little necessaries — a pair of spectacles in a pri- 
vate pocket which, as I observed before, had escaped the emperor’s searchers. These 
1 took out and fastened, as strongly as I could, upon my nose, and thus armed went 
boldly on with my work in spite of the enemy’s arrows, many of which struck against 
the glasses of my spectacles but without any other effect than a little to discompose 
them. I had now fastened all the hooks, and, taking the knot in my hand, began to 
pull — but not a ship would stir, for they were all too fast held by their anchors; so 
that the boldest part of my enterprise remained. I therefore let go the cord and, 
leaving the hooks fixed to the ships, I resolutely cut with my knife the cables that 


20 


Gulliver’s travels. 


fastened the anchors — receiving about two hundred shots in my face and hands; 
then I took up the knotted end of the cables to which ray hooks were tied, and with 
the greatest ease drew fifty of the enemy’s largest men of war after me. 

The Blefuscudians, who had not the least imagination of what I intended, were at 
first confounded with astonishment. They had seen me cut the cables, and thought 
my design was only to let the ships run adrift or fall foul of each other; but when 
they perceived the whole fleet-moving in order, and saw me pulling at the end, they 
set up such a scream of grief and despair as it is almost impossible to describe or 
conceive. When I had got out of danger I stopped awhile to pick out the arrows 
that stuck in my hands and face, and rubbed on some of the same ointment that was 
given me on my first arrival — as I have formerly mentioned. I then took ofi my 
spectacles and — waiting about an hour, till the tide was a little fallen— I waded 
through the middle with my cargo and arrived safe at the royal port of Lilliput. 

The emperor and his whole court stood on the shore, expecting the issue of this 
great adventure. They saw the ships move forward in a large half-moon, but could 
not discern me, who was up to my breast in water. When I advanced to the middle 
of the channel they were yet in pain, because I was under water to my neck. The 
emperor concluded me to be drowned, and that the enem ’s fleet was approaching 
in a hostile manner. But he was soon eased of his fears ; for — the channel growing 
shallower every step I made — I came in a short time within hearing, and, holding up 
the end of the cable by which the fleet was fastened, I cried in a loud voice, “ Long 
live the puissant king of Lilliput! ” This great prince received me, at my landing, 
with all possible encomiums and created me a ncirdac upon the spot — which is the 
highest title of honor among them. 

' His majesty desi ed I would take some other opportunity of bringing all the rest 
of his enemey’s ships into his ports. And so immeasurable is the ambition of prin- 
ces, that he seemed to thinx of nothing less than reducing the whole empire of Blef- 
useu into a province and governing it by a viceroy; of destroying the Big-endian 
exiles and compelling that people to break the smaller end of their eggs — by which 
he would remain the sole monarch of the whole world. But I endeavored to divert 
him from this design by many arguments, drawn from the topics of policy as well ns 
from justice; and 1 plainly protested “ that I would never be an instrument of bring- 
ing a free and brave people into slavery ” — and, when the matter was debated in 
council, the wisest part of the ministry were of my opinion. 

This open, bold declaration of mine was so opposite to the schemes and politics of 
his imperial majesty, that he could never forgive me. He mentioned it in a very artful 
manner at council, where, I was told, that some of the wisest appeared (at least by thmr 
silence) to be of my opinion; but others, who were my enemies, could not forbear 
some expressions which by a side wind reflected on me; and from this time began 
an intrigue between his majesty and a junto of ministers, maliciously bent against 
me, which broke out in less then two months, and had like to have ended in my 
utter destruction. Of so little weight are the greatest services to princes when put 
into the balance with a refusal to gratify their passions. 

About three weeks after this exploit, there arrived a solemn embassy from Ble- 
fuscu, with humble offers of a peace; which wa< soon concluded upon conditions 
very advantageous to our emperor, wherewith I shall not trouble the reader. There 
were six ambassadors, with a train of about five hundred persons; and their entry was 
very magnificent, suitable to the grandeur of their master and the importance of their 
business. When their treaty was finished, wherein I did them several good offices 
by the credit 1 now had — or at least appeared to have — at court, their excellencies, 
who were privately toldjiow much I had been their friend, made me a visit in form! 
They began with many compliments upon my valor and generosity, invited me to 
that kingdom, in the emperor their master’s name, and desired me to show them 
some proofs of my prodigious strength, of which they had heard so many wonders; 
wherein I readily obliged them, but shall not trouble the reader with the partic- 
ulars. 

When I had for some time entertained their excellencies, to their infinite satisfac- 
tion and surprise, I desired they would do me the honor to present my most humble 
respects to the emperor their master, the renown of whose virtues had so justly filled 
the whole world with admiration, and whose royal person I resolved to attend before 
I returned to my own country. Accordingly, the next time I had the honor to see 
the emperor I desired his general license to wait on tne Blefuscudian monarch 






Gulliver with the Fleet <>±' Blkfuscu.— Page 20. 


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A VOYAGE TO LILLIPTTT. 


23 


which he was pleased to grant me, as I could perceive, in a very cold manner; but 
could not guess the reason t ; il I had a whisper from a certain person, “that FJimnap 
and Bolgolam had represented my intercourse with those ambassadors as a mark of 
disaffection ; ” from which I am sure my heart was wholly free. And this was the 
first time i began to conceive some imperfect idea of courts and ministers. 

It is to be observed that these ambassadors spoke to me by tyi interpreter, the 
languag s of bo.h emp.res differing as much from each other as any two in Europe, 
and each nation priding itself upon the antiquity, beauty and energy of their own 
tongue, wit 1 1 an avowed c mtempt of that of their neighbor; yet our emperor, stand- 
ing upon the advantage he had got by the seizure of tiieir fleet, obliged them to 
deliver tiieir credentials, and make their speech, in the Lilliputian tongue. And it 
must be confessed, that from tne great intercourse of trade and commerce between 
hot.' realms; from the continual reception of ex.les, w .ich is mutual among them ; 
and from tne custom, in each empire, to send their young nobili;y and richer gentry 
to the other, in order to poi.sh t emselves by seeing the wor.d, and unuerstan ing 
ni n and manners; there are few persons of distinction, or me chants or seamen, 
who dweli in the ina itiine parts, but what can hold convers it on in both tongues; 
as It u .d some weeks a;ter, w.ien I went to pay ray respec s to the emperor of Bio- 
fus u, wii.ch, n toe m.dst of great m.sfortu ics through tae ma ice oi my tneuiies, 
proved a very happy adventure to me, as I shall relate in its proper place. 

T .e reader may remem >er, taat w .on I signed those art.c es upon watch I recov- 
ered my liberty, ih re were s me which I disliked, upon account of their being too 
eervd ; nei ».er c-uhl anything but an extreme n ■ e o^y have forced me to submit. 
But be.ng now a narduo of th ; highest rank .a t .at empire, ueh oliiecs were looked 
upon as below my dignity, and the emperor — .o do him justce — never once men- 
t.oneh them ,o me. However, it was not long before I had an opporta ity of doing 
his maj s y — at least a i I t..en thong t — a most signal service. I was alarmed at 
miduig.h by the c.Ls of many hundred people at the door; by which, being sud- 
denly awaken, l was in some kind of terror. I heard the word b urglu ii repeated 
incessantly; several of tae emperor’s court, making their way through the crowd, 
entreated me to come immediately to the palace, wh. re her imperial m ijestv’s apart- 
ment was on fire, by the c ireles.ness of a maid of honor, who led aJeep whde she 
was reading a romance. I got up in an instant; and orders were given to c.ear the 
way oefore me, and it being likewise a moomignt night, I made a soift to get to the 
p i ace w.tnout trampling on any of the people. I lound they had already appl.ed 
ladders to toe wans of the apartment, and were well provided with bucice.s, but the 
water was at some distance, 'luese buckets were about tne size of a large t'ffmble, 
and the poor people supp.ied me wita them as fmt ai they could; but the flame was 
so vio.en. that they did dale good, i might easily have stiffed it witn my soar, 
which 1 unfortunate y left behind me for haste, and came awn/only in my leather 
jerkin. The c .se seemed wholly desperate anff doplorab.e; and lois magnificent 
palace would have infaLlbly been burned do».n to me ground, if, by a presence of 
mind unusual to me, I had not suddenly thought of an exponent. 

I knew tii a in the adjoining palace t..era was a reservoir of water kept for the es- 
pecial 
capital 
thought, 

about four g. , W , - - , - • . , .. , . 

minutes the fire was wholly extin ,u.shed, and tlie rest ot that noble pile, which had 
cost so many ages in erecting, preserved from destruction. 




the 
could 


But I Was a little comforted by a message from his majesty, “that he would give 
orders to tne erand justiciary for passing my pardon in form; which, however, I 
cou'd not obtain; and I was pr.vately assured, “that the empress, conceiving the 
greatest abnorence of what i had done, in the presence of her chief confidants, 
could not forbear yowing revenge.’* 


24 


GULLIVER’S TRAVELS. 




CHAPTER VI. 

Of the inhabitants of LHHput: their learning, laws and customs; the manner of eduactlng their 
children— The author’s way of living in that country. 

Although I intend to leave the description of this empire to a particular treatise, 
yet, in the meantime, I am content to gratify the curious reader with some general 
ideas. As the common size of the natives is somewhat under six inches high, so 
there is an exact proportion in all other animals, as well as plants and trees. For 
instance: the tallest horses and oxen are between four and five inches in height ; the 
sheep an inch and a half, more or less; their geese about the bigness of a sparrow, 
and so the several gradations downwards, till you come to the smallest— -which, to 
my sight, were almost invisible; but nature has adapted the eyes of the Lilliputians 
to all objects proper for their view; they see with great exactness, but at no great 
distance. And, to show the sharpness of their sight toward objects that are near, I 
have been much pleased with observing a cook pulling a lark, which was not as 
large as the common fly, and a young girl threading an invisible needle with invis- 
ible silk. Their tallest trees are about seven feet high — I mean some of those in the 
great royal park, the tops whereof I could but just reach with my fist clenched. The 
other vegetables are in the same proportion; but this I leave to the reader’s imagin- 
ation. 

I shall say but little at present of their learning, which, for many ages, has flour- 
ished in all its branches among them; but their manner of writing is very peculiar, 
being neither from the left to the right, like the Europeans; nor from the right to 
the left, like the Arabians; nor from tip to down, like the Chinese, but aslant, from 
one corner of the paper to the other, like ladies in England. 

They bury their dead with their heads directly downward, because they hold an 
opinion that in eleven thousand moons they are all to rise again; in which period 
the earth (which they conceive to be flat) will turn upside down, and by this means 
they shall, at their resurrection, be found ready standing on their feet. The learned 
among them confess the absurdity of this doctrine, but the practice still continues in 
compliance to the vulgar. 

There are some laws and customs in this empire very peculiar, and if they were 
not so directly contrary to those of my own dear country I should be tempted to 
say a little in their justification. It is < nly to be wished they were as well executed. 
The first I shall mention relates to informers. All crimes against the state are pun- 
ished here with the utmost severity ; but if the person accused makes his innocence 
plainly to appear upon his trial, the accuser is immediately put to an ignominious 
death ; and out of his goods or lands the innocent person is quadruply recompensed 
for the loss of his time, for the danger he underwent, for the hardship of his im- 
prisonment and for all the charges he has been at in making his defense ; or, if that 
fund be insufficient, it is largely supplied by the crown. The emperor also confers 
on him some public mark of his favor, and proclamation of his innocence is made 
throughout the whole city. 

They look upon fraud as a greater crime than theft, and therefore seldom fail to 
punish it with death; for they allege that care and vigilance, with a very common 
understanding, may preserve a man’s goods from thieves, but honesty has no fence 
agaiest superior cunning; and since it is necessary that there should be a perpetual 
intercourse of buying and selling and dealing upon credit, where fraud is permitted 
or connived at, or has no law to punish it, the honest dealer is always undone and 
the knave gets the advantage. I remember when I was once interceding with the 
king for a criminal who had wronged his master of a great sum of money — which he 
had received by order and ran away with — and happened to to tell his majesty, by 
way of extenuation, that it was only a breach of trust, the emperor thought it mon- 
strous in me to offer as a defense the greatest aggravation of the crime ; and truly I 
had little to say in return — further than the common answer, that different nations 
had different customs — for, I confess, I was heartily ashamed.* 


* An Act of Parliament has been since passed, by which some breaches of trust have been 
made capital.'— O riginal. 


A VOYAGE TO LILLIPUT. 


25 


Although we usually call reward and punishment the two hinges upon which all gov- 
ernment turns, yet I could never observe this maxim put in practice by any nation 
except that of Lilliput. Whoever can there bring sufficient proof that he has strictly 
observed the laws of his country for seventy-three moons, has a claim to certain priv- 
ileges, according to his quality or condition in life, with a prportionate sum of money 
out of a fund appropriated for that use ; he likewise acquires the title of snilpall , or 
legal, which is added to his name but does not descend to his postei ity. And these 
people thought it a prodigious defect of policy among us when I told them that our 
laws were enforced only by penalties, without any mention of reward. It is upon 
this account that the image of Justice, in their courts of judicature, is formed with six 
eyes — two before, as many behind and on each side one — to signify circumspection ; 
with a bag of gold open in her right hand and a swond sheathed in her left, to show 
she is more disposed to reward than to punish. 

In choosing persons for all employments they have more regard to good morals 
than to great abilities; for, since government is necessary to mankind, they believe 
that the common size of human understanding is fitted to some station or other, and 
that Providence never intended to make the management of public affairs a mystery 
to be comprehended only by a few persons of sublime genius — of which there are 
seldom three born in an age — but they suppose truth, justice, temperance and the 
like, to be in every man’s power; the practice of which virtues, assisted by experi- 
ence and a good intention, would qualify any man for the service of his country, ex- 
cept where a course of study is required. But they thought the want of moral 
virtues was so far from being supplied by superior endowments of the mind, that 
employments could never be put into such dangerous hands as thot»e of persons so 
qualified ; and at least that the mistakes committed by ignorance, in a virtuous dis- 
position, would never be of such fatal consequence to the public weal as the practices 
of a man whose inclinations led him to be corrupt, and who had great abilities to 
manage, to multiply and defend his corruptions. 

In like manner the disbelief of a Divine Providetyce renders a man incapable of 
holding any public station ; for, since kings avow themselves to be the deputies of 
Providence, the Lilliputians think nothing can be more absurd than for a prince to 
employ such men as disown the authority under which he acts. 

In relating these and the following laws I would only be understood to mean the 
original institutions, and not the most scandalous corruptions into which these peo- 
ple are fallen by the degenerate nature of man. For, as to that infamous practice of 
acquiring great employments by dancing on the ropes, or badges of favor and dis- 
tinction by leaping over sticks and creeping under them, the reader is to observe 
that they were first introduced by the grandfather of the emperor now reigning, and 
grew to the present height by the gradual increase of party and faction. 

Ingratitude is, among them, a capital crime — as we read it to have been in some 
other countries; for they reason thus : that whoever makes ill return to his benefactor 
must needs be a common enemy to the rest of mankind from whom he has received 
no obligation, and therefore such a man is not fit to live. 

Their opinion is that parents are the last of all others to be trusted with the educa- 
tion of their own children ; and therefore they have in every town public nurseries, 
where all parents — except cottagers and laborers — are obliged to send their infants 
of both sexes to be reared and educated w r hen they come to the age of twenty moons; 
at which time they are supposed to have some rudiments of docility. These schools 
are of several kinds, suited to different qualities and both sexes. They have certain 
professors well skilled in preparing children far such a condition of l.fe as befits the 
ranks of their parents, and tueir own caprices as well as inclinations. I shall first 
say something of the male nurseries and then of the female. 

The nurseries for males of noble or eminent birth are provided with grave and 
learned professors and their several deputies. The clothes and food of the children 
are plain and simple. They are bred up in the principles of honor, justice, courage, 
modesty, clemency, religion and love of their country ; they are always employed in 
some business, except in the t.mes of eating and sleeping — which are very short — 
and two hours for diversions, consisting of bodily exercises. They are dressed by 
men till four years of age, and then are obliged to dress themselves, although their 
quality be ever so great; and the women attendants, who are aged proportionably to 
ours at fifty, perform only the most menial oflices. They are never suffered to con- 
verse with servants, but go together in smaller or greater numbers to take their 


26 


GULLIVER'S TRAVELS. 


diversions, and always in the presence of a professor or one of his deputies; whereby 
they avoid those early bad impressions of folly and vice to which our children are 
subject. Their parents are suffered to see them only twice a year; the visit is to last 
but an hour. They are allowed to kiss the child at meeting and parting; but a pro- 
fessor, who always stands by on those occasions, will not suffer them to whisper, or 
use any fondling expressions, or bring any presents of toys, sweetmeats and the 
like. 

The pension from each family for the education and entertainment of a child, upon 
failure of due payment, is levied by the emperor's officers. 

The nurseries for children of ordinary gentlemen, merchants, traders and handi- 
crafts are managed, proportionably, after the same manner; only those designed for 
trades are put out apprentices at eleven years old, whereas those of persons of qual- 
ity continue in their exercises till fifteen — which answers to twenty-one with us — but 
the confinement is gradually lessened for the last three years. 

In the female nurseries the young girls of quality are educated much like the 
males, only they are dressed by orderly fervants of their own sex — but always in the 
presence of a professor or deputy — till they come to dress themselves, which is at 
five years old. And if it be found that these nurses ever presume to entertain the 
girls with frightful or foolish stories, or the common follies practised by chamber- 
maids among us, they are publicly whipped thrice about the city, imprisoned for a 
year and banished for life to the most desolate part of the country. Thus the young 
ladies there are as much ashamed of being cowards and fools as the men, and de- 
spise all personal ornaments beyond decency and cleanliness; neither did I perceive 
any difference in their eductation made, by their difierence of sex, only that the 
exercises of the females were not altogether so robust, and that some rules were 
given them relating to domestic life and a smaller compass of learning was enjoined 
them ; for their maxim is that, among people of quality, a wife should always be a 
reasonable and agreeable companion, because she cannot always be young. AVhen 
the girls are twelve years olil-v-which among them is the marriageable age — their 
parents or guardians take them home, with great expressions of gratitude to the pro- 
fessors, and seldom without the tears of the young lady and her companions. 

In the nurseries of females of the meaner sort the children are instructed in all 
kinds of works proper for their sex and their several degrees; those intended for ap- 
prentices are dismissed at seven years old, the rest are kept to eleven. 

The meaner families who have children at these nurseries are obliged, beside their 
annual pension — which is as low as possible — to return to the steward of the nursery 
a small monthly share of their gettings, to be a portion for the child; and therefore 
all parents are limited in their expenses by the law. For the Lilliputians think 
nothing can be more unjust than for people to leave the burden of supporting their 
children on the public. As to persons of quality, they give security to appropriate a 
certain sum for each child, suitable to their condition ; and these funds are always 
managed with good husbandry and the most exact justice. 

The cottagers and laborers keep their children at home, their business being only 
to till and cultivate the earth, and therefore their education is of little consequence 
to the public; but the old and diseased among them are supported by hospitals— for 
begging is a trade unknown in this empire. 

And here it may, perhaps, divert the curious reader to give some account of my 
domestics, and my manner of living in this country during a residence of nine 
months and thirteen days. Having a head mechanically turned, and b ~ing likewise 
forced by necessity, I had made for myself a table and chair, convenient enough, out 
of the largest trees in the royal park. Two hundred sempstresses were employed to 
make me shirts, and linen lor my bed and table, all of the strongest and coarsest 
kind they could get; w..ich, however, they were forced to quilt together in several 
folds, for the thickest was some degrees finer th n lawn. Their linen is usually 
three inches wide, ahd three feet make a piece. The sempstresses took my nuasure 
as I lay on the ground, one standing at my neck and another at my middle, with a 
strong cord extended, that each held by the end while a third mea ured the’ length 
of the cord with the rule of an inch long. Then they measured my right thumb mid 
desired no more; for, by a mathematical computation that twice around the thumb 
is once around the wrist, and so on to the neck and waist, and by the help of my old 
shirt— wh.ch I displayed on the ground betore them for a pattern— they fitted me 
exactly. Three hundred tailors were employed in the same manner to make me 


A VOYAGE TO LILLIPUT. 


27 


clothes ; but they had another contrivance for taking my measure. I kneeled down 
and they raised a ladder from the ground to my neck; upon this ladder one of them 
mounted, and let fall a plumb-line from my collar to the floor, which just answered 
the length of my coat; but my waist and arms I measured myself. When my clothes 
were finished, which was done in my house (for the largest of theirs would not have 
been able to hold them), they looked like the patchwork made by ladies in England 
— only that mine were all of a color. 

I had three hundred cooks to dress my victuals, in little convenient huts, built 
about my house, where they and their families lived, and prepared two dishes 
apiece. I took up twenty waiters in my hand and placed them on the table; a hun- 
dred more attended below on the ground, some with dishes of meat, and some with bar- 
rels of wine and other liquors slung on their shoulders: all which the waiters above 
drew up, as I wanted, in a very ingenious manner, by certain cords, as we draw the 
bucket up a well in Europe. A dish of their meat was a good mouthful, and a bar- 
rel of their liquor a reasonable draught. Their mutton yields to ours, but their 
beef is excellent. I have had a sirloin so large that I have been forced to make 
three bites of it; but this is rare. My servants were astonished to see me eat it 
bones and all, as in our country we do the leg of a lark. Their geese and turkeys I 
usually ate at one mouthful, and I confess they far exceed ours. Of their smaller 
fowl I could take up twenty or thirty at the end of my knife. 

One day his imperial majesty, being informed of my way of living, desired “that 
himself and his royal consort, with the young princes of the blood of both sexes, 
plight have the happiness,” as he was pleased to call it, “of dining with me.” They 
came accordingly, and I placed them in chairs of state, upon my table, just over 
against me, with their guards about them. Flimnap, the lord high treasurer, attend- 
ed there likewise with his white staff; and I observed he often looked on me with a 
sour countenance, which I would not seem to regard, but ate more than usual in 
honor to my dear country, as well as to fill the court with admiration. I have some 
private reasons to believe, that this visit from his majesty gave Flimnap an oppor- 
tunity of doing me ill offices to his master. That minister had always been my 
secret enemy, though he outwardly caressed me more than was usual to the morose- 
ness of his nature. He represented to the emperor “the low condition of his treas- 
ury; that he was forced to take up money at a great discount; that exchequer bills 
would not circulate under nine percent, below par; that I had cost his majesty 
above a million and a half of sprugs (their greatest gold coin, about the bigness of a 
spangle); and, upon the whole, that it would be advisable in the emperor to take the 
first fair occasion of dismissing me.” 

I had many visitors, and on those occasions, when a servant had given me notice, 
my custom was to go immediately to the door, and, after paying my respects, to take 
up the coach and two horses very carefully in my hands, and place them on a table, 
where I had fixed a movable rim quite round, of five inches high, to prevent acci- 
dents. I have often had four coaches and horses at once on my table, lull of com- 
pany, while I sat in my chair, leaning my face toward them; and when I was 
engaged with one set, the coachman would gently drive the others around my table. 
I have passed many an afternoon very agreeably in these conversations. 


CHAPTER VII. 

The author, being informed of a design to accuse him of high treason, makes his escape to Blefuscu 
— Its ice p don there. 

Before I proceed to give an account of my leaving this kingdom, it may be proper 
to inform the reader of a private intrigue, which had been for two months forming 
against me. 

I had been hitherto, all my life, a stranger to courts, for which I was unqualified 
bv the meanness of my condition. I had, indeed, heard and read' enough of the dis- 
positions of great princes and ministers; but never expected to have fouud such 
terrible effects of them in so remote a country, governed, as I thought, by very dif- 
ferent max ms from those in Europe. 

While I was just preparing to pay my attendance on the emperor of Blefuscu, a 


28 


GULLIVER’S TRAVELS. 


considerable person at court (to whom I had been very serviceable, at a time when 
he lay under the highest displeasure of his imperial majesty) came to my house very 
privately at night, in a close chair ; and, without sending in hi3 name, desired ad* 
mitt 'nee. The chairmen were dismissed; I put the chair, with his lordship in it, 
into my coat pocket; and, giving orders to a trusty servant to say I was indisposed 
and gone to sleep, I fastened the door of my house, placed the chair on the table, 
according to my usual custom, and sat down by it. After the common salutations 
were over, observing his lordship’s countenance full of concern, and inquiring into 
the reason, he desired “ 1 would hear him with patience, in a matter that highly 
concerned my honor and my life.” His speech was to the following effect, for I 
took note of it as soon as he left me : 

“You are to know,” said he, “that several committees of council have lately been 
called in the most private manner, on your account ; and it is but two days since his 
majesty came to a full resolution. 

“You are very sensible that Skyresh Bolgolam ( galbet or high admiral) has been 
vour mortal enemy almost ever since your arrival. His original reasons I know not ; 
but his hatred is increased since your great success against Blefuscu, by which his 
glory as admiral is much obscured. This lord, in conjunction with Flimnap, the 
high-treasurer, whose enmity against you is notorious; Linstoc, the general; Laleon, 
the chamberlain; and Balmuff, the grand justiciary, have prepared articles of im- 
peachment against you, for treason and other capital crimes.” 

This preface made me so impatient, being conscious of my own merits and inno- 
cence, that I was going to interrupt him; when he entreated me to be silent, and 
thus proceeded : 

“Out of gratitude for the favors you have done me, I procured information of the 
whole proceedings, and a copy of the articles ; wherein I ventured my head for 
your service.” 

ARTICLES OF IMPEACHMENT AGAINST QUINBUS FLESTEIN, THE MAN MOUNTAIN. 

Article I. 

“Whereas, by a statute made in the reign of his imperial majesty, Calin Deffar 
Plune, it is enacted, that, whoever shall make use of the water within the precincts 
of the royal palace, shall be liable to the pains and penalties of high treason; not- 
withstanding, the same Quinbus Flestrin, in open breach of the said law, under 
color of extinguishing the fire kindled in the apartment of his majesty’s most dear 
imperial consort, did maliciously and traitorously put out the said fire kindled in 
the said apartment, lying and being within the precincts of the said royal palace, 
against the statute in that case provided, etc., against the duty, etc. 

Article II. 

“That the said Quinbus Flestrin, having brought the imperial fleet of Blefuscu 
into the royal port, and being afterward commanded by his imperial majesty to 
seize all the other ships of the said empire of Blefuscu, and reduce that empire to a 
province, to be governed by a viceroy from hence, and to destroy and put to death, 
not only all the Bigendian exiles, but likewise all the people of that empire who 
would not immediately forsake the Bigendian heresy; he, the said Flestrin, like a 
false traitor against his most auspicious, serene, imperial majesty, did petition to be 
excused from the said service, upon the pretense of unwillingness to force the con- 
sciences, or destroy the lives and liberties of an innocent people. 

Article III. 

“That whereas, certain ambassadors arrived from the court of Blefuscu, to sue for 
peace in his majesty’s court; he, the said Flestrin, did, like a false traitor, aid, abet, 
comfort, and divert, the said ambassadors, although he knew them to be servants to 
a prince who was lately an open enemy to his imperial majesty, and in open war 
against his said majesty. 

Article IV. 

“That the said Quinbus Flestrin, contrary to the duty of a faithful subject, is now 
preparing to make a voyage to the court and empire of Blefuscu, for which he has 
only received verbal license from his imperial majesty; and under color of the said 


A VOYAGE TO LILLiPUT. 


29 


license, does falsely and traitorously intend to take the said voyage, and thereby to 
aid, comfort, and abet, the emperor of Blefuscu, so lately an enemy, and in open 
war with his imperial majesty aforesaid.” 

“ There are some other articles; but these are the most important, of which I have 
read you an abstract, 

“ In the several debates upon this impeachment, it must be confessed that his 
majesty gave many marks of his great lenity; often urging the services you had 
done him, and endeavoring to extenuate your crimes. The treasurer and admiral in- 
sisted that you should be put to the most painful and ignominious death, by setting 
fire to your house at night; and the general was to attend with twenty thousand 
men, armed with poisoned arrows, to shoot you on the face and hands. Some of your 
-ervants were* to have private orders to strew a poisonous juice on your shirts and 
sheets, which would soon make you tear your own flesh, and die in the utmost tor- 
ture. The general came into the same opinion ; so that, for a long time, there was a 
majority against you; but his majesty resolving, if possible, to spare your life, at 
last bought off the chamberlain. 

“ Upon this incident, Reldresal, principal secretary for private affairs, who always 
approved himself your true friend, was commanded by the emperor to deliver his 
opinion, which he accordingly did; and therein justified the good thoughts you 
have of him. He allowed your crimes to be great, but that there was still room for 
me i cy — the most commendable virtue in a prince, and for which his majesty was so 
justly celebrated. He said, the friendship between you and him was so well known 
to the world, that perhaps the most honorable board might think him partial: how- 
ever, in obedience to the command he had received, he would freely offer his senti- 
ments. That if his majesty, in consideration of your services, and pursuant to his 
own mercitul disposition, would please to spare your life, and only give orders to 
put out both your eyes, he humbly conceived that by this expedient justice might 
in some measure be satisfied, and all the world would applaud the lenity of the em- 
peror, as well as the fair and generous proceedings of those who have the honor to 
fee his counselors. That the loss of your eyes would be no impediment to your 
bodily strength, by which you might still be useful to his majesty: that blindness is 
an addition to courage, by concealing dangers from us : that the fear you had for 
your eyes was the greatest difficulty in bringing over the enemy’s fleet; and it 
would be sufficient for you to see by the eyes of the ministers, since the greatest 
princes do no more. 

“This proposal was received with the utmost disapprobation by the whole board. 
Bolgolam, the admiral, could not preserve his temper; but rising up in a fury, said, he 
wondered how the secretary durst presume to give his opinion for preserving the life 
of a traitor: that the services you had performed were, by all true reasons of state, the 
great aggravation of your crimes; that you, who were able to extinguish the flames, 
might, at another time, raise an inundation by the same means, to drown the whole 
palace; and the same strengtn, which enabled you to bring over the enemy’s fleet, 
might serve, upon the first discontent, to carry it back: that he had good reasons to 
think that you were a Bigendian in your heart; and, as treason begins in the heart 
before it appears in overt acts, so he accused you as a traitor on that account, and 
therefore insisted you should be put to death. 

“The treasurer was of the same opinion ; he showed to what straits his majesty's 
revenue was reduced, by the charge of maintaining you, which would soon grow in- 
supportable: that the secretary’s expedient of putting out your eyes was so far from 
being a remedy against this evil, that it would probably increase it, as is manifest 
from the common practice of blinding some kind of fowls, after which they fed the 
faster, and grew sooner fat; - that his sacred majesty and the council, who are your 
judges, were, in their own consciences, fully convinced of your guilt, which was a 
sufficient argument to condemn you to death, without the formal proofs required by 
the strict letter of the law. 

“But his imperial majesty, fully determined against capital punishment, was 
graciously pleased to sav, that since the council thought the loss of your eyes too 
easy a censure, some other way may be inflicted hereafter. And your friend the 
secretary, humbly desiring to be heard again, in answer to what the treasurer had 
objected, concerning the great charge his majesty was at in maintaining you, said, 
that his excellency, who had the sole disposal of the emperor’s revenue, might easily 
provide against that evil by gradually lessening your establishment ; by which, for 


30 


Gulliver's travels. 


want of sufficient food, you will grow weak and faint, and lose your appetite, and 
consume in a few months; and upon your death, the skeleton would be left as a 
monument of admiration to posterity. 

“Thus, upon the great friendship of the secretary, the whole affair was com- 

E romised. It was strictly enjoined that the project of starving you by degrees should 
e kept a secret; but the sentence of putting out your eyes was entered on the 
books; none dissenting except Bolgolam the admiral, who, being a creature of the 
empress, was perpetually instigated by her majesty to insist upon your death, she 
having borne perpetual malice against you on account of that infamous and illegal 
method you took to extinguish the fire in her apartment. 

“In three days your friend, the secretary, will be directed to come to your house 
and read before you the articles of impeachment ; and then to signify the great 
lenity and favor of his majesty and council, whereby you are only condemned to 
the loss of your eyes, which his majesty does not question you will gratefully and 
humbly submit to ; and twenty of his majesty's surgeons will attend, in order to see 
the operation well performed, by discharging very sharp-pointed arrows into the 
balls of your eyes, as you lie on the ground. 

“I leave to your prudence what measures you will take, and to avoid suspicion, I 
must immediately return in as private a manner as I came." 

His lordship did so; and I remained alone, under many doubts and perplexities 
of mind. 

It was a custom introduced by this prince and his ministry (very different, as I 
have been assured, from the praciice of former times), that after the court had de- 
creed any cruel execution, either to gratify the monarch’s resentment, or the malace 
of a favorite, the emperor always made a speech to his whole council, expressing 
his great lenity and tenderness, as qualities known and confessed by all the world. 
This speech was immediately published throughout the kingdom ; nor did anything 
terrify the people so much as those encomiums on his majesty's mercy; because it 
was observed that the more these praises were enlarged and insisted on, the more 
inhuman was the punishment, and tne more innocent the sufferer. Yet as to ray- 
self, I must confess, having never been designed for a courtiei’, either bv my binh 
or education, I was so ill a judge of things that I could not discover the 'lenity and 
favor of this sentence, but conceived it (perhaps erroniously) to be rather rigordus 
than gentle. I sometimes thought of standing my trial; for although I could not 
deny the facts alleged in the several articles, yet I hoped they would admit of some 
extenuation. But having in my life perused many state trials, which I ever observed 
to terminate as the judges thought fit to direct, I durst not rely on so dangerous a 
decision*, in so critical a juncture, and against such powerful enemies. Once I was 
strongly bent upon resistance ; for while I had liberty the whole strength of that 
empire could hardly subdue me, and I might easily with stones pelt the metropolis 
to pieces ; but I soon rejected that project with horror, by remembering the oath I 
had made to the emperor, the favors I received from him, end the high title of nar- 
dac he conferred upon me. Neither had I so soon learned the gratitude of courtiers 
to persuade myself that his majesty's present severities acquitted me of all past ob- 
ligations. 

At last I fixed upon a resolution, for which it is probable I may incur some cen- 
sure, and not unjustly: for I confess I owe the preserving of mine eyes, and conse- 
quently my liberty, to my own great rashness and want of experience : because, if I 
had then know n the nature of princes and ministers, which I have since observed 
in many other courts, and their methods of treating criminals less obnoxious than 
myself, I should, with great alacrity and readiness, have submitted to so easy a pun- 
ishment. But hurried on by the precipitancy of youth, and having his imperial maj- 
esty's license to pay my attendance upon the emperor of Blefuscu, I took this op- 
portunity before the three days were elapsed to send a letter to my friend the 
secretary, signifying my rosolution of setting out that morning for Blefuscu, pursu- 
ant to the leave I had got; and, without waiting for an answer, I went to that side 
of the island where our fleet lay. I seized a large man-of-war and tied the cable to 
the prow; and lifting up the anchors, I stripped myself, put my clothes (together 
with my coverlet, which I carried under my arm) into the vessel, and drawing it 
after me, between wading and swimming arrived at the royal port of Blefuscu, where 
the people had long expected me. They lent me two guides to direct me to the cap- 
ital city, which is of the same name ; I held them in my hands till I came witkm 


A VOYAGE TO LILLIPUT. 


31 


two hundred yards of the gate, and desired them “to signify my arrival to one of 
the secretaries, and let him know I there waited his majesty’s commands.” I had 
an answer in about an hour, “ that his majesty, attended by the royal family and 
great officers of the court, was coming out to receive me.” I advanced a hundred yards. 
The emperor and his train alighted from their horses, the empress and ladies from 
their coaches, and I did not perceive they were in any fright or concern. I lay on 
the ground to kiss his majesty and the empress’s hands. I told his majesty “ that I 
was come according to my promise, and with the license of the emperor, my master, 
to have the honor of seeing so mighty a monarch, and to offer him any service in my 
power, consisient with my duty to my own prince; ” not mentioning a word of my 
disgrace, because I had hitherto no regular information of it, and might suppose 
myself wholly ignorant of any such design; neither could I reasonably conceive 
that the emperor would discover the secret while I was out of his power; wherein, 
however, it soon appeared I was deceived. 

I shall not trouble the reader with the particular account of my reception at 
this court, which was suitable to the generosity of so great a prince ; nor of the 
difficulties I was in for want of a house and bed, being forced to lie on the ground, 
wrapped up in my coverlet. 


CHAPTER VIII. 

The author, by a lucky accident, finds means to leave Blefuscu ; and, after some diffi ulties, re- 
turns sale to his native country. 

Three davs after my arrival, walking, out of curiosity, to the northeast coast of 
the island, I observed, about half a league off in the sea, somewhat that looked like 
a boat overturned. I pulled off my shoes and stockings, and, wading out two or 
three hundred yards, I found the object to approach nearer by force of the tide; and 
then plainly saw it to be a real boat, which I supposed might by some tempest have 
been driven from a ship ; whereupon I returned immediately toward the city, and 
desired his imperial majesty to lend me twenty of the tallest vessels he had left, 
after the loss of his fleet, and three thousand seamen under the command of his 
vice-admiral. This fleet sailed round, while I went back the shortest way to the 
coast where I first discovered the boat. I found the tide had driven it still nearer. 
The seamen were all provided with cordage, which I had beforehand twisted to a 
sufficient strength. When the ships came up I stripped myself, and waded till I 
came within a hundred yards of the boat, after which I was forced to swim till I got 
up to it. The seamen threw me the end of the cord, which I fastened to a hole in 
the forepart of the boat, and the other end to a man-of-war; but I found all my la- 
bor to litt e purpose; for, being out of my depth, I was not able to work. In this 
necessity I was forced to swim behind and push the boat forward, as often as I could 
with one of my hands; and the tide favoring me, I advanced so far that I could just 
hold up my chin and feel the ground. I rested two or three minutes, and then gave 
the boat another shove, and so on, till the sea was no higher than my arm-pits ; and 
now the most laborious part being over, I took out my other cables, which were 
stowed in one of the ships, and fa tened them first to the boat, and then to nine of 
the ves els which attended me; the wind being favorable, the seamen towed and I 
shoved, until we arrived within forty yards of the shore, and waiting till the tide 
was out, I got dry to the boat; and by the assistance of two thousand men with 
ropes and engines, made a shift to turn it on its bottom, and found it but little 
damaged. 

I shall not trouble the reader with the d : fficulties I was under, by the help of cer- 
tain paddles, which cost me ten days making, to get my boat into the royal port of 
Blefuscu, where a mighty concourse of people appeared upon my arrival, full of 
wonder at the sight of so prodigious a vessel. I told the emperor “ that my good 
fortune had thrown this boat in my way to carry me to some place whence I might 
return to my native country; and begged his majesty’s orders for getting materials 
to fit it up ; together wit.i his license to depart; ” which, after some kind expostu- 
lations, he was pleased to grant. 

I did very much wonder, in all this time, not to have heard of any express relating 


32 


^ULM-V-EE’S TEAVELS. 


to me from our emperor to the court of Blefuscu. But was afterward given privately 
to understand that his imperial majesty, never imagining I had the least notice of 
his designs, believed I was only gone to Blefuscu in performance of my promise, ac- 
cording to the license he had given me, which wrs well known at our court, and 
would return in a few days, when the ceremony was ended. But he was at last in 
pain at my long absence, and after consulting with the treasurer and the rest of that 
cabal, a person of quality was despatched with the copy of the articles against me. 
This envoy had instructions to represent to the monarch of Blefuscu “ the grept len- 
ity of his master, who was content to punish me no further than the loss of mine eyes; 
that I had fled from justice, and if I did not return in two hours I should be de- 
prived of my title of nardac, and declared a traitor.” The envoy further added, 
“ that in order to maintain the peace and amity between both empires, his master 
expected that his brother of Blefuscu would give orders to have me sent back to 
Liliiput, bound hand and foot, to be punished as a traitor.” 

The emperor of Blefuscu, h iving taken three days to consult, returned an answer 
consisting of many civilities and excuses. lie said, u that, as for sending me bound, 
his brother knew that it was imposssible; that although I had deprived him of his 
fleet, yet he owed great obligations to me for many good offices I had done him in 
making the peace. That, however, both their majesties would soon be made easy, 
for I had found a prodigious vessel on the shore, able to carry me on the sea, which 
he had given orders to fit up with my own assistance and direction ; and he hoped 
in a few weeks both empires would be freed from so insupportable an incum- 
brance.” 

With this answer the envoy returned to Liliiput, and the monarch of Blefuscu 
re’ated to me all that had passed, offering m§ at the same time (but under the 
strictest confidence) his gracious protection if I would continue in his service; 
wherein, although I believed him sincere, yet I resolved never more to put any con- 
fidence in princes or ministers, where I could possibly avoid it; and therefore, with 
all due acknowledgment of his favorable intentions, I humbly begged to be excused. 
1 told him, “ that since fortune, whether good or evil, had thrown a vessel in my 
way, I was resolved to venture myself on the ocean, rather tha i be an occasion <£f 
difference between two such mighty monarchs.” Neither did I find the emperor at 
all displeased ; and I discovered, by a certain accident, that he was very glad of my 
resolution, and so were most of his ministers. 

These considerations moved me to hasten my departure somewhat sooner than I 
intended; to which the court, impatient to have me gone, very readily contributed. 
Five hundred workmen w ere employed to make two sails to my boat according to 
my directions, by quilting thirteen folds of their strongest linen together. I w r as at 
the pains of making ropes and cables, by twisting ten, twenty or thirty of the thick- 
est and strongest of theirs. A great stone that I happened to find after a long search 
by the sea-shore, served me for an anchor. I had tiie tallow of three hundred cows 
for greasing my boat, and other uses. I was at incredible pains in cutting down 
some of the largest timber trees for oars and masts, wherein I was, however, much as- 
sisted by his majesty’s ship-carpenters, who helped me in smoothing them, after I 
had done the rough work. 

In about a month, when all was prepared, I sent to receive his majesty’s commands, 
and to take my leave. The emperor and royal family came out of ihe palace. 1 lay 
down on my fade to kiss liis hand, which he very graciously gave me ; so did the em- 
press and the young princes of the blood, liis majesty presented me with fifty 
nurses of two hundred sprugs apiece, together with his picture at full length, which 
I put immediately into one of my gloves, to keep it from bing hurt. The ceremo- 
nies at my departure were too many to trouble the reader with at this time. 

I stored the boat with the carcas es of a hundred oxen and three hundred sheep, 
wi h bread and drink proportionable, and as much meat ready dressed as four hun- 
dred cooks could provide. I took with me six cows and two bulls alive, with as 
many ewes and rams, intending to carry them in to my own country and propagate 
the breed; and to feed them on board, I had a good bundle of hay and a bag of 
corn. I would gladly have taken a dozen of the natives, but this was a thing the 
emperor would by no means permit ; and, besides a diligent search into my pockets, 
his majesty engaged my honor “ not to carry away any of his subjects, although 
with their own consent and desire.” 

Having thus prepared all thing > as well as I was able, I set sail on the twenty- 


A VOYAGE Td LILLIFtJT. 


83 


fourth day of September, 1701, at six in the morning; and when I had gone about 
four leagues to the northward, the wind being at the south-east, at six ill the even- 
ing, I descried aswall island about half a league to the northwest. I advanced for- 
ward and cast anchor on the lee-side of the island, which seemed to be uninhabited. 
I then topk some refreshment and went to my rest. I slept well, as I conjecture, 
at least six hours, for I found the day broke in two hours after I awoke. It was a 
clear night. I ate my breakfast before the sun was up ; and heaving the anchor, the 
wind being favorable, I steered the same course that I had done the day before, 
wherein I was directed by my pocket-compass. My intention was to reach, if possi- 
ble, one of those islands which I had reason to believe lay to the northeast of Van 
Diemen’s Land. I discovered nothing all that day ; but irpon the next, about three 
in the afternoon, when I had by my computation made twenty-four leagues from 
Blefuscu, I descried a sail steering to the south-east. My course was due east. I 
hailed her, but could get no answer; vet I found that I gained upon her, for the 
wind slackened. I made all the sail I could, and in half an hour she spied, me, then, 
hung out her ancient and discharged a guu. It is not easy to express the joy I was 
in, upon the unexpected hope of once more seeing my beloved country and the 
dear pledges I left in it. The chip slackened her saiis, and I came up with her be- 
tween five and six in the evening, September 2Gth ; but my heart leaped within me 
to see her English colors. I put my cows and sheep into my coat-pocket, and got on 
board with all my little cargo of provisions. The vessel was an English merchantman, 
returning from Japan by the north and south seas; the captain, Mr. Jonn Biddle, of 
Deptford, a very civil man and an excellent sailor. We were now in the latitude 30 
degrees south ; there were about fifty men in the ship ; and here I met ; n old com- 
rade of mine, one Peter Williams, who gave me a good character to the captain. This 
gentleman treated me with kindness, and desired I would let him know what place 
I came from last, and whither I was bound ; which I did in a few words. But he 
thought I was raving, and that the dangers I had underwent had di turbed my head; 
whereupon I took my black cattle and sheep out of my pocket, which, after great 
astonishment, clearly convinced him of my veracity. I then showed him the gold 
given me by the emperor of Blefuscu, together with his majesty’s picture at full 
length, and some other rarities of that country. I gave him two purses of two hun- 
dred sprugs each, and promised, when we arrived in England to make him a pres- 
ent of a cow and a sheep. 

I shall not trouble the reader with a particular account of this voyage, which 
was very prosperous for the most part. We arrived in the Downs on the 13ta of 
April, 1702. I had only one misfortune, that the rats on board carried away one of 
my sheep. I found her bones in a hole, picked clean from the flesh. The rest of 
my cattle I got safe ashore, and set them grazing in a bowling-green at Greenwich, 
where the fineness of the gra^s made them teed very heartily, though I had always 
feared the contrary; neither could I possibly have preserved them in so long a voyage 
if the captain had not allowed me some of his best biscuit, which, rubbed to powder 
and mingled with water, was their constant food. Tne short time I continued in 
England I made a considerable profit by showing my cattle to many persons of 
quality and others, and before I began my second voyage I sold them for six hun- 
dred pounds. S nee my last return I find the breed is considerably increased, 
especially the sheep, which I hope will prove much to the advantage of the woolen 
manufacturer, by the fineness of their fleeces. 

I stayed but two months with my Avife and family, for my insatiable desire of see- 
ing foreign countries would suffer me to continue no longer. I left fifteen hundred 
pounds with my wife, and fixed her in a good house at Redriff. My remaining stock 
I carried with me, partin money and part in goods, in hopes to improve my for- 
tunes. My eldest uncle, John, had left me an estate in land, near Epping, of about 
thirty pounds a year; and I had a long lease of the Black Bull in Fetter Lane, which 
yielded me as much more; so that 1 was not in any danger of leaving my family 
upon the parish. My son Johnny — named so alter his uncle — was at the grammar 
school, and a towardly child. My daughter Betty (who is now well married, and has 
children) was then at her needle-work. I took leave of my Avife and boy and girl, 
with tears on both sides, and Avent on board the Adventure, a merchant ship of three 
hundred tons, bound for Surat, Captain John Nicholas, of Livei pool, commander. 
But my account of this voyage must be referred to the second part of my travel*. 


S4 


atnxivKR^s travels* 


PART II. 


A VOYAGE TO BR0BD1NGNAG. 


CnAPTEU I. 

A great storm <?e*crlb''<l ; the long-boat sent to fetch water; the author goes with it to discover 
iho country— He is left onshore, is se zed by one of the natives, and carried to a farmer’s bouse 
— His reception, witu several accidents that happened there— A description ol the inhabitants. 

Having been condemned, by nature and fortune, to an active and restless life, in 
two months after my return 1 again left my native country, and took shipping in 
the Downs, on the 20th of June, 1702, in the Adventure, Captain John Nicholas, a 
Cornishman, commander, bound for Surat. We had a very prosperous gale, till we 
arrived at the Cape of Good Hope, where we landed for fresh water; but discover- 
ing a leak, we unshipped our goous and wintered there; for the captain falling sick 
of an ague, we could not leave the Cape till the end of March. We then set sail, 
and had a good voyage till we passed the Straits of Madagascar; but having got 
northward of that island, and to about five degrees south latitude, the winds, which 
in those seas are observed to blow a constant equal gale between the north and the 
west, from the beginning of December to the beginning of May, on the 19th of April 
began to blow with much greater violence, and more westerly than usual, continuing 
so for twenty days togetner: during which time we were driven a little to the east 
of Molucca Islands, and about three degrees northward of the line, as our captain 
found by an observation he took the 2nd of May, at which time the wind ceased, 
and it was a perfect calm, whereat I was not a little rejoiced. But he, being a man 
well experienced in the navigation of those seas, bid us all prepare against a storm, 
which accordingly happened the day following; for the southern wind, called the 
southern monsoon, began to set in. 

Finding it was likely to overblow, we took in our spritsail, and stood by to hand 
the foresail; but, niakin ? foul weatuer, we looked the guns were all fast, and hand- 
ed the miz n. The ship lay very broad off, so we thought it better spooning before 
the sea, than trying or hauling. We reefed the foresail, and set him, and hauled aft 
the foresheet; the helm was hard a-weather. The ship wore bravely. We belayed 
the fore down-haul; but the sail was split, and we hauled down the yard, and got 
the sail into the ship, and unbound all the things clear of it. It was a very fierce 
storm; the sea broke strange and dangerous. We hauled off upon the laniard of 
the wnipstafF, and helped the man at the helm. We would not get down our top- 
mast, but let all stand, because she scudded before the sea very well, and we knew 
that the topmast being aloft, the ship was the wholesomer, and made better way 
through the sea, seeing we had sea-room. When the storm was over, we set foresail 
and mainsail, and brought the ship to. Then we set the mizen, maintopsa.l, and the 
foretop^ail. Our course was east-north-east, the wind was at south-west. We got 
the starboard tacks aboard ; we cast off the weather-bowlings, weather-braces, and 
lilts; we set in the lee-braces, and hauled them tight, and’ belayed them; and 
hauled over the mizen and hauled forward by tack to windward, and kept her full 
and by as near as she would lie. 


A VOYAGE TO BROBDINGNAG. 


55 


During this storm, which was followed by a strong wind west-south-west, we were 
oarried, py my computation, about five hundred leagues to the east, so that the 
oldest sailor on board could not tell in what part of the world we were. Our provi- 
sions held out well; our ship was staunch, and our crew all in good health; but we 
lay in the utmost distress lor water. We thought it best to hold on the same course, 
rather than turn more northerly, which might have brought us to the north-west 
part of Great Tartary, and into the Frozen Sea. 

On the 16th day of June, 1703, a boy on the topmast discovered land. On the 
17th. we came in full view of a great island or continent (for we knew not whether); 
on tne south side whereof was a small neck of land jutting out into the sea, and a 
creek too shallow to hold a ship of above one hundred tons. We cast anchor with- 
in a league of this creek, and our captain sent a dozen of his men well armed in the 
long-boat, with vessels for water, if any could be found. I des red his leave to go 
with them, that I might see the country, and make what discoveries I could. When 
we came to land, we saw no river or spring, nor any sign of inhabitants. Our men 
therefore wandered on the shore to find out some fresh water near the sea, and 
I walked alone about a mile on the other side, where I observed the country all 
barren and rocky. I now began to be weary, and seeing nothing to entertain my 
curiosity I returned gently down toward the creek; and tne sea being full in my 
view, I saw our men already got into the boat, and rowing for life to the 
ship. I was going to holloa after them, although it had been to little purpose, when 
I observed a huge creature walking after them in the sea, as fast as he could: he 
waded not much deeper than his knees, and took prodigious strides; but our men 
had the start of him half a league, and the sea thereabouts being full of sharp- 
pointed rocks, the monster was not able to overtake the boat. This I was afterward 
told, for I durst not stay to see the issue of the adventure, but ran as fast as I could the 
way I first went, and then climbed up a steep hill, which gave me some piospect of 
the country. I found it fully cultivated ; but that which first surprised me was the 
length of the grass, which, in those grounds that seemed to be kept for hay, was 
about twenty feet high. 

I fell into a high road, for so I took it to be, though it served to the inhabitants 
only as a foot-path, through a field of barley. Here I walked on for some time, but 
could see little on either side, it being now near harvest, and the corn r.sing at least 
forty feet. I was an hour walking to the end of this field, which was fenced in with 
a hedge of at least one hundred and twenty feet high, and the trees so lofty that I 
could make no computation of their altitude. There was a stile to pass lrom this 
field into the next. It had four steps, and a stone to cross over when you came to 
the uttermost. It was impossible for me to climb this stile, because every step was 
six feet high, and the upper stone about twenty. I was endeavoring to find 
some gap in the hedge, when I discovered one of the inhabitahts in the next field, 
advancing toward the stile, of the same size with him whom I saw in the sea pursu- 
ing our boat. He appeared as tall as an ordinary spire steeple, and took about ten 
yards at every stride, as near as I could 'guess. I was struck with the utmost fear 
and astonishment, and ran to hide myself in the corn, whence I saw him at the 
top of the stile looking back into the next field on the right hand, and heard him 
call in a voice many degrees louder than a speaking-trumpet ; but the noise was so 
high in the air, that at first I certainly thought it was thunder. Whereupon seven 
monsters, like himself, came toward him, with reaping hooks in their hands, each 
hook about the largeness of six scythes. These people were not so well clad as the 
first, whose servants or laborers they seemed to be; for, upon some words he spoke, 
they went to reap the corn in the field where I lay. I kept from them at as great a 
distance as I could, but was forced to move with extreme difficulty, for the stalks of 
corn were sometimes not above a foot distant, so that I could hardly squeeze my 
body betwixt them. However, I made a shift to go forward, till I came to a part of 
the field where the corn had been laid by the rain and wind. Here it was impossi- 
ble for me to advance a step; for the stalks were so interwoven that I could not 
creep through, and the beards of the fallen ears so strong and pointed that they 
pierced through my clothes into my flesh. At the same time I heard the reapers 
not above a hundred yards behind me. Being quite dispirited with toil, and wholly 
overcome by grief and despair, I lay down between two ridges, and heartily wished 
I might there end my days. I bemoaned my desolate widow and fatherless children. 
| lamented my own folly and willfulness in attempting a second voyage, against the 


Gulliver’s travels. 


* 

advice of all niy friends and relations. In this terrible agitation of mind I could 
not forbear thinking of Lilliput, whose inhabitants looked upon me as the greatest 
prodigy that ever appeared in the world; where I was enabled to draw an imperial 
fleet in ray hand, and perform those other actions, which will be recorded forever in 
the chronicles of that empire; while posterity shall hardly believe them, although at- 
tested by millions. I reflected what a mortification it must prove to me to appear as 
inconsiderable in this nation as one single Lilliputian would be among us. But this 
I conceived was to be the least of my misfortunes; for, as human creatures are ob- 
served to be more savasre and cruel in proportion to their bulk, what could I expect 
but to be a morsel in the mouth of the first among these enormous barbarians who 
should happen to seize me? Undoubtedly philosophers are in the right, when they 
tell us nothing is great or little otherwise than by comparison. It might have 
pleased fortune to have let the Lilliputians find some nation, where the people were 
as diminutive with respect to them as they were to me. And who knows but that 
even this prodigious race of mortals might be equally overmatcned in some distant 
part of the world, whereof we have yet no discovery? 

Scared and confounded as I was, I could not forbear going on with these reflections, 
when one of the reapers approaching within ten yards of the ridge where I lay, made 
me apprehend that with the next step I should be squashed to death under his foot, 
or cut in two with his reaping-hook. And therefore, when he was again about to 
move, I screamed as loud as fear could make me; whereupon the huge creature trod 
short, and looking round about under him for some time, at last espied me as I lay on 
the ground. lie considered awhile, with the caution of one who endeavors to lay hold 
on a small, dangerous animal in such a manner that it shall not be able either to 
scratch or bite him, as I myself had sometimes done with a weasel in England. At 
length he ventured to take me behind, by the middle, between his forefinger and 
thumb, and brought me within three yards of his eyes, that he might behold my 
shape more perfectly. I guessed his meaning, and my good fortune gave me so 
much presence of mind, that I resolved not to struggle in the least as he held me in 
the air, above sixty feet from the ground, although he grievously pinched my sides, 
for fear I should slip through his fingers. All I ventured was to raise mine eyes 
toward the sun, and place my hands together in a supplicating posture, and to speak 
some words in an humble, melancholy tone, su table to the condition I was then in: 
for I apprehended every moment that he would dash me against the ground, as we 
usually do any little ha.elul animal which we have a mind to destroy. But my good 
star would have it, that he appeared pleased with my voice and gestures, and began 
to look upon me as a curiosity, much wondering to hear me pronounce articulate 
words, although he could not understand them. In the meantime I was not able to 
forbear groaning and shedding tears, and turning my head toward my sides; letting 
him know, as well as I could, how cruelly I was hurt by the pressure of his thumb 
and finger. lie seemed to apprehend my meaning; for, lifting up the lappet of his 
coat, he put me gently into ir, and immediately ran along with me to his master, who 
was a substantial farmer, and the same pers n I had first seen in the field. 

The farmer having (as I suppose by their talk) received such an account of me as 
his servant could give him, took a piece of small straw, about the size of a walking- 
staff, and therewith lifted up the lappets of my coat; which it seems he thought to 
be some kind of covering that nature had given me. He blew ray hair aside to take 
a better view of my face. lie called his hinds about him, and asked them, as I 
afterward learned, “Whether thev had ever seen any little creature in the fields 
that resembled me?” He then placed me softly on the ground upon all fours, but 
I got immediately up, and walked slowly backward and forward, to let those people 
see I had no intent to run away. They all sat down in a circle about me, the Letter 
to observe my motions. I pulled off my hat, and made a low bow toward the 
farmer. I fell on my knees, and lifted up my hands and eyes, and spoke several 
words as loud as I could; I took a purse of gold out of my pocket, and humbly pre- 
sented it to him. He received it on the palm of his hand, and then applied it close 
to his eye to see what it was, and afterward turned it several times with the point of 
a pin (which he took out of his sleeve), but could make nothing of it. Whereupon 
I made a sign that he should place his hand on the ground. I then took the purse, 
and opening it, poured all the gold into his palm. There were six Spanish pieces of 
four pistoles each, beside twenty or thirty smaller coins. I saw him wet the tip of his 
little finger upon his tongue, and take up one of my largest pieces, and then anotb- 


a voyage to brobdingnag. 


er; bat be seemed to be wholly ignorant what they were. He mado me a sign to 
put them again into my purse, and the purse again into my pocket — which, after 
offering it to him several .imes, I thought it best to do. 

The farmer by this time was convinced I must be a rational creature. He spoke 
often to me ; but the sound of his voice pierced my ears like that of a water -1111 1, 
yet his words were articulate enough. I answered as loud as I could in several lan- 
guages, and he often laid his ear within two yards of me; but all in vain, for we 
were wholly unintelligible to each other. He then sent his servants to their work, 
and taking his handkerchief out of his pocket, he doubled and spread it on liis eft 
hand, which he placed flat on the ground with .he palm upward, making a sign lor 
me to step into it, as I could easily do, as it was not a foot in thickness. I thought 
it my part to obey, and, for fear of falling, laid myself at full length upon the hand- 
kerchief, with the remainder of which lie wrapped me up to the head for further se- 
curity; and in this manner carried me home to his house. There he called his wife 
and showed me to her; but she screamed and ran back, as women in England do at 
the sight of a toad or a spider. However, when she had awhile seen my behavior, 
and how well I observed the signs her husband made, she was soon reconciled, and 
by degrees grew’ extremely tender of me. 

It was about twelve at noon, and a servant brought in dinner. It was only one 
substantial dish of meat (fit for the plain condition of a husbandman), in a dish of 
about four-and-twentv feet diameter. The company were, the farmer and his wife, 
three children and an old grandmother. When they were sat down, the farmer 
placed me at some distance from him on the table, which wa> thirty feet high irom 
the floor. 1 was in a terrible fright, and kept as far as 1 could from the edge, for 
fear of falling. The wife minced a bit of meat, then crumbled some bread on 
a trencher, and placed it before me. I made her a low how, took out my knife and 
fork, and fell to eat, which g ive them exceeding delight. The mistress sent her 
maid for a small dram cup, which held about two gallons, and filled it with dr.nk; I 
took up the vessel with much difficulty in both hands, and in a most respectful man- 
ner drank to her ladyship’s health, expressing the words as loud as 1 could in Eng- 
lish, which made the* company laugh so heartily that I w r as almost deafened with the 
noise. This liquor tasted like a small eider, and was not unple. saut. then the mas- 
ter made me a sigh to come to his trencher side ; hut as I walked on the taole, being 
in great surprise all the time, as the indulgent reader will eas ly conceive and ex- 
cuse, I happened to stumble against a crust, and fell flat on my face, hut received no 
hurt. I got up immediately, and observing the good people to be in much concern, 
I took my hat (which I held unper mv arm out of good manners), anl waving it over 
my head, made three huzzas, to show f had got no mischief by my fall. Cut advanc- 
ing low .rd toward my master (as I shall henceforth call him), his v oungest son, who 
sat next to him, an arch hoy ot about ten years old, took me up by the 1 ‘gs, and 
held me so higu in the air that I trembled in every limb; hut ids father snatched 
me from liirn, and at the same time gave him such a box on the lefte iras would have 
felled a European troop of horse to the earth, orderi g him to be taken from the ta- 
ble. But being afraid this boy might owe me a spite, and well remembering how 
mischievous all children among us naturally are to p irrous, rabbits, young kittens, 
and puppy dogs, I fell on my knees, and pointing to the boy, made my m; ster to un- 
derstand as well I could that I desired his son m ght he pardoned. The father com- 
plied, and the lad took his seat again, whereupon 1 went to h in and kissed his baud, 
which my m ister took and made him stroke me gently with it. 

In the midst of d uner my mistress’s favorite e..t le. ped into her lap. I heard a 
noise behind me like trnit of a dozen stocking-weavers at work; and turning my 
head, I found it proceeded from the purring of that animal, who seemed to be three 
times larger than an ox, as I computed by the view of her head and one of her paws 
while her mistress was feeding and stroking her. The fierceness of this creature’s 
countenance altogether decomposed me, though I stood at the further end of the 
table, above fifty feet off; and though my mistress held her fast, for tear she might 
give a spring, and seize me in her talons. But it happened there was no danger, lor 
the cut took not the least notice of me when my master placed me within three 
yards of her. And ns I have been always told, and found true by experience in my 
travels, that flying or discovering fear before a tierce animal, is a certain way to 
make it pursue or atiack vou, so 1 resolved, in this dangerous juncture, to show no 
manner of concern. I walked with intrepidity fiv~ or six times before the very lieatj. 


38 


GULLIVER’S TRAVEL8. 


of the cat, and came within half a yard of her ; whereupon she drew herself back, 
as if she were more afraid of me; I had less apprehension concerning the dogs, 
whereof three or four came into the room, as it is usual in farmers’ houses; one of 
which was a mastiff, equal in bulk to four elephants, and a greyhound, somewhat 
taller than the mastiff, but not so large. 

When dinner was almost done, the nurse came in with a child a year old in her 
arms, who immediately spied me, and began a squall that you might have heard 
from London Bridge to Chelsa, after the usual oratory of infants, to get me for a 
plaything. The mother, out of pure indulgence, took me up and put me toward the 
child, who presently seized me by the middle and got my head into his mouth, where 
I roared so loud that the urchin was frightened, and let me drop, and I should infal- 
libly have broke ray neck if the mother had not held her apron under me. The 
nurse, to quiet the babe, made use of a rattle, which was a kind of hollow vessel 
filled with great stones, and fastened by a cable to the child’s waist. 

When dinner was done, my master went out to his laborers, and, as I could dis- 
cover by his voice and gesture, gave his wife a strict charge to take care of me. 
I was very much tired, and disposed to sleep, which my mistress perceiving, she put 
me on her own bed, and covered me with a clean, white handkerchief, but larger 
and coarser than a mainsail of a man-of-war. 

I slept about two hours, and dreamed I was at home with my wife and children, 
which aggravated my sorrows when I awaked and found myself alone in a vast 
room between two and three hundred feet wide, and about two hundred high, lying 
in a bed twenty yards wide. My mistress was gone about her household affairs, and 
had locked me in. While I was under these circumstances, two rats crept up the 
curtains, and ran smelling backward and forward on my bed. One of them came 
up almost to my face, whereupon I rose in a fright, and drew out my hanger to de- 
fend myself. These horrible animals had the boldness to attack me on both sides, 
and one of them held his fore feet at my collar; but I had the good fortune to rip up 
his belly before he could do me any mischief.. He fell down at my feet; and the 
other, seeing the fate of his comrade, made his escape, but not without one good 
wound on his back, which I gave him as he fled, and made the blood run trickling 
from him. After this exploit I walked gently to and fro on the bed to recover my 
breath and loss of spirits. These creatures were of the size of a large mastiff, but 
infinitely more nimbie and fierce; so that if I had taken off my belt before I went 
to sleep, I must have infallibly been torn to pieces and devoured. I measured the 
tail of the dead rat, and found it to be two yards long, wanting an inch ; but it went 
against my stomach to draw the carcass off the bed, where it lay still bleeding ; I ob- 
served it had yet some life, but with a strong slash across the neck, I thoroughly dis- 
patched it. 

Soon after my mistress came into the room, who, seeing me all bloody, ran and 
took me up in her hand. I pointed to the dead rat, smiling and making other signs 
to show that I was not hurt; whereat she was extremely rejoiced, calling the maid 
to take up the dead rat with a pair of tongs, and throw it out of the window. Then 
she set me on a table, where I showed her my hanger all bloody, and wiping it on 
the lappet of my coat, returned it to the scabbard. 

I hope the gentle reader will excuse me for dwelling on these and like particulars, 
■which, however insignificant they may appear to groveling vulgar minds, yet will 
certainly help a philosopher to enlarge liis thoughts and imagination, and apply 
them to the benefit of public as well as private life, which was my sole design in 
presenting this and other accounts of my travels to the world; wherein I have been 
chiefly studious of truth, without affecting any ornaments of learning or of style. 
But the whole scene of this voyage made so strong an impression on my mind, and 
is so deeply fixed in memory that in committing it to paper 1 did not omit one ma- 
terial circumstance; however, upon a strict review I blotted out several passages of 
less moment, which were in my first copy, for fear of being censured as tedious and 
trifling, whereof travelers are often, perhaps not without justice, accused. 


▲ VOYAGE TO BROBDINGNAG, 



80 


CHAPTER II. 


A description of the farmer’s daughter— The author carried to a market town, and then to the 
metropolis — The particulars of his journey. 


My mistress had a daughter of nine years old, a child of towardly parts for her 
age, very dexterous at her needle, and skillful in dressing her baby. Her mother 
and she contrived to fit up the baby’s cradle for*me against night; the cradle was 
put into a small drawer oi a cabinet, and the drawer placed upon a hanging shelf 
tor fear of the rats. This was my bed all the time I stayed with those people, though 
made more convenient by degrees, as I began to learn their language, and make my 
wants known. This young girl was so handy that after I had once or twice pulled 
off my clothes before her she was able to dress and undress me, though I never gave 
her that trouble when she would let me do either myself. She made me seven 
shirts and some other linen, of as fine cloth as could be got, which indeed was 
coarser than sackcloth; and these she constantly washed for me with her own hands. 
She was likewise my schoolmistress, to teach me the language; when I pointed to 
anything, she told me the name of it in her own tongue, so that in a few days I was 
alole to call for whatever I had a mind to. She was very good-natured,~and not 
above forty feet high, being little of her age. She gave me the name oi Grildrig , 
which the family took up, and afterward the whole kingdom. The word imports 
what the Latins call nanunculus, the Italians, homunceletion , and the English, mani- 
kin. To her I chiefly owe my preservation in that country; we never parted while I 
was there; I called her my Gtumdalcliteh, or little nurse, and should be guilty of 
great ingratitude if I omitted this honorable mention of her care and affection 
toward me, which I heartily wish it lay in my power to requite as she deserves, in- 
stead of being the innocent, but unhappy, instrument of her disgrace, as I have too 
much reason to fear. 

It now began to be known and talked of in the neighborhood, that my master had 
found a strange animal in the field, about the bigness of a splacnuck , but exactly 
shaped in every part like a human creature ; which it likewise imitated in all its 
actions ; seemed to speak a little language of its own, had already learned several 
words of theirs, went erect upon two legs, was tame and gentle, would come when 
it was called, do whatever it was bid, had the finest limbs in the world, and a com- 

{ flexion fairer than a nobleman’s daughter of three years old. Another farmer, who 
ived hard by, and was a particular friend of my master, came on a visit on purpose 
to inquire intojthe truth of this story. I was immediately produced, and placed 
upon a table, where I walked as I was commanded, drew my hanger, put it up again, 
made my reverence to my master's guest, asked him in his own language how he 
did, and told him he was welcome, just as my little nurse had instructed me. This 
man, who was old and dim-sighted, put on his spectacles to behold me better ; at 
which I could not forbear laughing very heartily, for his eyes appeared like the full 
moon shining into a chamber at two windows. Our peop.e, who discovered the 
cause of my mirth, bore me company in laughing, at which the old fellow was fool 
enough to be angry and out of countenance. He had the character of a great miser, 
and, to my misfortune, he well deserved it, by the advice he gave my master, to 
show my as a sight upon a market-day in the next town, which was half-an-hour’s rid- 
ing, about two-and-twenty miles from our house. I guessed there was some mischief 
abroad contriving, when I observed my master and his friend whispering long together, 
sometimes pointing at me; aud my fears made me fancy that I overnead and under- 
stood some of their words. But the next morning Glumdalclitch, my little nurse, 
told me the whole matter, which she had cunningly picked out from her mother. 
The poor girl laid me on her bosom, and fell weeping with shame and grief. She ap- 
prehended some mischief would happen to me from rude, vulgar folks, who might 
squeeze me to death, or break one of my limbs by taking me in their hands. She 
had also observed how modest I was in my nature, how nicely I regarded my honor, 
and what an indignity I should conceive it to be exposed for money as apublic spec- 
tacle, to the meanest of the people. She said her papa and mamma had promised 
that Grildrig should be hers ; but now she found they meant to serve her as they did 


40 


GULLIVER’S TRAVELS. 


last year, when they pretended to give her a lamb, and yet, as soon as it was fat, sold 
it to a Uitcher. For my own part, I may truly affirm that I was less concerned than 
my nurse. I l ad a s.iong hope, which never lei t me, that I should one day recover 
my liberty ; and as to the ignominy of being carried about lor a monster, I cons ti- 
ered myself to he a perfect stranger in the country, and that such a misfortune could 
never be charged upon me as a reproach, if ever I should re. urn to England; s nee 
the king of Great Britain himself, in my condition, must have undergone the same 
distress. 

My master, pursuant to the advice of his friend, carried me in a box the next mar- 
ket day to the neighboring town, and took along with him his little daughter, ray 
nurse, upon a pi. Ion behind him. The box was close on every side, with a little 
door for me to go in and out, and a few gimlet holes to let in air. . r lhe girl had been 
so careful as to put the quilt of her own bed into it, for me to lie down on. How- 
ever, I was terrioly shaken and discomposed during the journey, though it was but 
of half an hour; for the horse went aoout forty feet at every step, and trotted so 
high, that the a station was equal to the rising and tailing of a ship in a great storm, 
but in ich more frequent. Our journey was somew. at farther than from London to 
St. Alban's. My master alighted at an inn which he used to frequent; and alter 
consulting a wlnlu wit.i the mn-keeper, and making some necessary preparations, he 
hired th e g nutted, or crier, to give not.ee through the town of a strange creature to 
be seen at the sign of the Green Ea^le, not so big as a splacnuck (an animal in that 
country very finely shaped, about s x feet long, and in every port of the body re- 
sembling a hum..n creature), could speak several words, and perform a hundred di- 
verting tricks. 

I was placed upon a table in the largest room of ti'.o inn, which might be near 
three hundred feet square. My liitie nu.se stood on a low stool ch.se to the table, to 
take care of me, and direct what I should do. My master, to avoid a crowd, would 
allow only thirty people at a time to see me. I walked about on the table as the girl 
commanded; she asked me a lew questions, as far as she knew my understanding of 
the language reached, and I answeted them as loud as I could. 1 turned about sev- 
eral times to the company, paid my humble respects, said they were welcome , and used 
some other speeches i had been taught. I took up a tkuuile filled with liquor, 
which Glumdalclitch had given me lor a cup, and crank their health. 1 drew out 
my hanger and flourished with it after the manner of fencers in England. My nurse 
gave me a part of a straw, which I exercised as a pike, having learned the art in my 
youth. I was that day shown to twelve sets of company, and as oiten lorced to act 
over again the same fopperies, till I was half dead w.tli weariness and vexation ; for 
those who had seen me made such wonderful reports that the people w*.re leady to 
break down the doors to come in. My master, for liis own interest, would not suffer 
any one to touch me except my nurse ; and to prevent danger, benches were set around 
the tab e at such a distance as put me out of everybody’s reach? However, an un- 
lucky school-boy aimed a 1 azle-nut directly at my bead, which very narrowly missed 
me; otherwise, it came with so much violence that it would have infallibly knocked 
out my brains, lor it was almost as large as a small pumpkin; but 1 had tiie satisfac- 
tion to sec the young rogue w.ll beaten, and turned ou$ of the room. 

My master gave public notice that lie would show me again the next market day; 
and in the meantime he prepare . a more convenient vehicle for me, which he had rea- 
son enough to do ; for 1 was so tired with my first journey, and with entertaining com- 
pany for eight hours together, that I could hardly stand upon my legs, or speak a 
word. It was at least t.iree days before 1 recovered my strength; and that 1 might 
have no rest at home, all the neighboring gentlemen iroin a Hundred miles around, 
hearing of my fame, came to see me at my master’s own house. There could not 
be fewer than thirty persons with their wives and children (for the country is very 
populous); and my m ster demanded the rate of a lull room whenever he showed 
me at home, although it were only to a single family; so that for some time I had 
but little ease every ay of the week (except Wednesday, which is their Sabbath), 
although I was not carried to the town. 

My master, finding how profitable I was likely to be, resolved to carry me to the 
most considerable cities of the kingdom. Having therefore provided himself with 
all th.ngs necessary lor a long journey, and settled his affairs at home, he took leave 
of his wife, and on the 17th of August, 1703, about two month’s after my arrival, we 
set out for the metropolis, situated near the middle of that empire, and about three 


A VOYAGE TO BROBDINGNAG- 


41 


thousand miles distance from our house, My master made his daughter Glumdal- 
cJitch ride behind him. She carried on her Jap, in a box tied about her waist. The 
girl had lined it on a 1 sides with the soitest cloth she could get, well quilted under- 
neath, furnished it with her baby’s bed, prov ded me with lim n and other necessa- 
ries, and made everything as convenient as she could. AYe had no other company 
but a boy of the house, who rode alt r us with the luggage. 

My master’s design was to show me in all the towns by the ry, and to step out of 
the road, for fifty ora humdred miles, to any village or person of quality’s house, 
■where be might expect custom. AYe made easy journeys, of not above seven or 
eight score miles a day; for Glumdalclitch, on purpose to spare me, comjl ined she 
was tired with the tiotting of the horse. She oltcn took me out of my box at my 
desire, to give me air and show me the country, but : lways held me last by a lead- 
ing-string. AYe passed over five or six rivers, manv degrees broader and de per th u 
the Ganges; and there was h rdly a r.vulet so small as the Thames at London Bridge. 
AYe were ten weeks in our journey, and I was shown in eighteen large towns, besiue 
many villages and private lam lies. 

On the 2dth day of October we arrived in the metropolis, called in their language 
LorbruUjrud, or Piide of the Universe. My master took a lodging in the principal 
street in the city, not far from the royal palace, and put out bills in the usual 
form, containing an exact description of my person and parts, lie h red a large 
room between three and four hundred feet wide, lie provided a table s xty feet in 
diameter, upon which I was to act my part, and palisaded it around three feet from 
the edge, and as many high, to prevent -my falling over. I was shown ten times a 
d ay, to the wonder and satisfaction of all people. I could now speak the language 
tolerably well, and perfectly understood every word that was spoken to me. Besides, 
I had learned their alphabet, and cou.d make a shift to explain a sentence here and 
there ; for Glumdalclitc h had been my instructor while we were at home and at leis- 
ure hours during our journey. She carried a little book in her pocket not much 
larger than Sanson’s Atlas; it was a common treatise for the use of young girls, giv- 
ing a short account of their religon ; out of this she taught me my letters and in* 
terpretod the words. 


CHAPTEE IIL 

The author pout for to court— The queen buys him of hi* master, the farmer, nnd presents h’m to 
the uing — lie di puts with lii.-s m; jetty’s gr at ten Ju — An a| aitruei.i ..t cot.r. piovitied lor 
t^e author— lie is in hign favor wall ti.e queen — Jie sumo# up for the honor of ins owu coun- 
try— lie quarrels with the queen's dwarf. 

The ftequent labors I underwent every day made, in a few weeks, a very consid- 
erable change in my health ; tiie more my master got by me, the more insatiable ho 
grew*; I had qute lost my stomach, and was almost reduced to a skeleton. The 
farmer observing it, and concluding I must soon tiie, resolved to make as good a 
hand of me as he could. AVhiie he was thus reasoning and reso.ving with himself, 
a aardral, or gentleman-usher, came from court, commanding my master to carry me 
immediately thither for the diversion of the queen and her lad us. tome of the lat- 
ter had already been to see me, and reported strange things f my beauiv, behavior, 
and good sense. Her majesty and those who attended her were beyond measure de- 
lighted with my demeanor. I fell on my knees, and begged the honor of kissing 
her imperial foot; but this gracious princess i.eld out her lii tl finger toward me, 
after I was set on the table, which 1 embraced in both my arms, and put the tip of t 
with the utmost respect to my lip. She made me some general questions ab«.ut my 
country and my travels, w hich I answered as dis.inctly and in as few words as I 
could. She asked “ whether I could be content to .ive at court? ” I oowed down 
to the board of the table, and humbly answered, “that I was my master’s s ave; but 
if I were at my own disposal I should be proud to devote my life to her majesty’s 
service.” She then asked my mas er, “ whether he was willing to sell me at a good 
pr.ee?” He, who apprehended that I could not live a inon.h, was rta y enough to 

S art with me, aud demanded a thousand pieces of gold, whic i were ordered h m on 
ie spot, each piece being about die bigness ot eight hundred mo dores; but allow- 
ing for the proportion of all things between, that country aud Europe, and the high 


42 


GULLIVER'S travels; 


price of gold among them, was hardly so great a sum as a thousand guineas would b# 
m England. I then said to the queen, “ Since I was now my majesty’s most humble 


creature and vassal, I must beg the favor that Glumdalclitch, who had always tended 
me with so much care and k’ndness, and understood to do it so well, might be ad- 
mitted into the service, and continue to be my nurse and instructor.” 

Her majesty agreed to my petition, and easily got the farmer’s consent, who was 
glad enough to have his daughter preferred at court, and the poor girl herself was 
not able to hide her joy. My late master withdrew, bidding me farewell, and saying 
he had left me in a good service ; to which I replied not a word, only making him a 
slight bow. 

The queen observed my coldness, and when the farmer was gone out of the apart- 
ment, asked me the reason. I made bold to tell her majesty, “ that I owed no other 
obligation to my late master than his not dashing out the brains of a poor, harmless 
creature, found by chance in his fields; which obligation w r as amply recompensed 
by the gain he had made in showing me through half the kingdom, and the price 
he had now sold me for. That the life I had since led was laborious enough to kill 
an animal of ten times my strength. That my health was much impaired by the 
continual drudgery of entertaining the rabble every hour of the day ; and that if 
my master had not thought my life in danger her majesty would not have got so 
cheap a bargain. But as I was out of all fear of being ill-treated, under the protec- 
tion of so great and good an empress, the ornament of nature, the darling of the 


world, the delight of her subjects, the phoenix of the creation; so I hoped my late 
master’s apprehensions would appear to be groundless ; for I already found my spir- 
its revive by the influencelof her most august presence.” 


>y the influence|of her most august presence. 

This was the sum of my speech, delivered with great improprieties and hesita- 
tion. The latter part was’ altogether framed in the style peculiar to that people, 
whereof I learned some phrases from Glumdalclitch, while she was carrying me to 
court. 

The queen, giving great allowance for my defectiveness in speaking, was, however, 
surprised at so much wit and good sense in so diminutive an animal. She took 
me in her own hand and carried me to the king, who was then retired to his cabinet. 
His majesty, a prince of much gravity and austere countenance, not well observing 
my shape at first view, asked the queen after a cold manner, “how long it was since 
she grew’ fond of a splacnuck f ” for such, it seems, he took me to be, as I lay upon 
my breast in her majesty’s right hand. But this princess, who had an infinite deal 
of wit and humor, set me gently on my feet upon the scrutoire, and commanded me to 
give his majesty an account of myself, which I didin a very few words; audGiumdal- 
ditch, w r ho attended at the cabinet door, and could not endure I should be out of 
her sight, being admitted, confirmed all that had passed from my arrival at her 
father’s house. 

The king, although he be as learned a person as any in his dominions, had been 
educated in the study of philosophy, and particularly mathematics ; yet when he ob- 
served my shape exactly, and saw me walk erect, before I began to speak, conceived 
I might be a piece of clock-w’ork (which is in that country arrived to a very great 
perfection), contrived by some ingenious artist. But when he heard my voice, and 
found what I delivered to be regular and rational, he could not conceal his astonish- 
ment. He was by no means satisfied with the relation I gave him of the manner I 
came into his kingdom, but thought it a story concerted between Glumdalclitch and 
her father, who had taught me a set of words to make me sell at a better price. 
Upon this imagination, he put several other questions to me, and still received ra^ 
tional answers ; no otherwise defective than by a foreign accent, and an imper- 
fect knowledge of the language, with some rustic phrases which I had learned 
at the farmer’s house, and did not suit the polite style of the court. 

His majesty sent for three great scholars, who were then in the weekly waiting 
according to the custom in that country. These gentlemen, after they had awhile 
examined my shape with much nicety, were of different opinions concerning me. 
They all agreed that I could not be produced according to the regular law s of nature* 
because I was not framed with a capacity for preserving my life, either by swiftness* 
or climbing of trees, or digging holes in the earth. They observed by my teeth* 
which they viewed with great exactness, that I was a carnivorous animal; yet most 
quadrupeds being an overmatch for me, and field mice, with some others, too nim- 
ble, they could not imagine how I should be able to support myself, unless l fed 


I 


A VOYAGE TO BROBDINGNAG. 


43 


upon snails and other insects, which they offered, by many learned arguments, to 
evince that I could not possibly do. One of these virtuosi seemed to tnink that I 
might be an embryo or abortive birth. But this opinion was rejected by the other 
■ two, who observed my limbs to be perfect and finisned ; and that I had lived several 
years, as it was manifest from my beard, the stumps whereof they plainly discovered 
through a magnifying-glass. They would not allow me to be a dwarf, because my 
littleness was beyond all degrees of comparison ; for the queen’s favorate dwarf, the 
smallest ever known in that kingdon, was nearly thirty feet high. After much de- 
bate they concluded unanimously that I was only relplum scalcath, which is, inter- 
preted literally, lums naturce; a determination exactly agreeable to the modern 
philosophy of Europe, whose professors, disdaining the old evasion of occult causes, 
whereby the followers of Aristotle endeavored in vain to disguise their ignorance, 
have invented this wonderful solution of all difficulties, to the unspeakable ad- 
vancement of human knowledge. 

Alter this decisive conclusion, I entreated to be heard a word or two. I applied 
myself to the king, and assured his majesty “ that I came from a country which 
abounded in several millions of both sexes, and of my own stature; where the ani- 
mals, trees and houses were all in proportion, and where, by consequence, I might 
be as able to defend myself and to find sustenance as any of his majesty’s subjects 
could do her6 ; which I took for a full answer to those gentlemen’s arguments.’’ To 
this they only replied with a smile of contempt, saying, “ that the farmer had in- 
structed" me very well in my lesson.” The king — who had a much better understand- 
ing — dismissing his learned men, sent for the farmer, who, by good fortune, was not 
yet gone out of the town. Having, therefore, first examined him privately and then 
confronted him with me and the young girl, his majesty began to think that what we 
told him might possibly be true. He desired the queen to order that a particular 
care should be taken of me ; and was of opinion that Glumdalclitch should still con- 

I tinue in her office of tending me, because he observed we had great affection for 
each other. A convenient apartment was provided for her at court; she had a sort 
of governess appointed to take care of her education, a maid to dress her and two 
other servants for menial offices, but the care of me was wholly appropriated to her- 
self. The queen commanded her own cabinet-maker to contrive a box, that might 
serve me for a bedchamber, after the model that Glumdalclitch and I should agree 
upon. This man was a most ingenious artist, and, according to my direction, in 
three weeks finished for me a wooden chamber of sixteen feet square and twelve 
high, with sash-windows, a door and two closets, like a London bedchamber. The 
board that made the ceiling was to be lifted up and down by two hinges, to put in a 
bed ready furnished by her majesty’s upholsterer, which Glumdalclitch took out 
every day to air, made it with her own hands, and, letting it down at night, locked 
up the roof over me. A nice workman, who was famous for little curiosities, under- 
took to make me two chairs, with backs and frames of a substance not unlike ivory, 
and two tables, with a cabinet to put my things in. The room was quilted on all 
sides, as well as the floor and ceiling, to prevent any accident from the carelessness 
of those who carried me, and to break the force of a jolt when I went in a coach. I 
desired a lock for my door, to prevent rats and mice from coming in. The smith, 
after several attempts, made the smallest that ever was seen among them — for I have 
known a larger at the gate of a gentleman’s house in England. I made a shilt to 
keep the key in a pocket of my own, fearing Glumdalclitch might lose it. The 
queen likewise ordered the thinnest silks that could be gotten, to make me clothes, 
not much thicker than an English blanket, very cumbersome till I was accustomed 
to them. They were after the fashion of the kingdom, partly resembling the Persian, 
and partly the Chinese, and are a very grave and decent habit. 

The queen became so fond of my company that she could not dine 'without me. I 
had a table placed upon the same at which her majesty ate, just at her elbow, and a 
chair to sit on. Glumdalclitch stood on a stool on the floor near my table to assist 
and take care of me. I had an entire set of silver dishes and plates and other neces- 
saries, which, in proportion to those of the queen, were not much bigger than what 
I have seen in a London toy shop for the furniture of a baby-house. Tnese my little 
nurse kept in her pocket in a silver box and gave me at meals as I wanted them, 
always cleaning them herself. No person dined with the queen but the two prin- 
cesses royal ; the eldest sixteen y-ars old and the younger at that time thirteen and 
a monthT Her majesty used to pui a bit of meat upon one of my dishes, out of which 


44 


GULLIVER’S TRAVELS. 


I carved for myself, and tier diversion was to see me eat in miniature; for the queen 
(who had, indeed, but a weak stomach) took up, at one mouthtul, as much as a dozen 
English farmers could eat at a meal — which to me was lor some time a very nauseous 
sight. She would eraunch the w:ng of a lark, bones and all, between her teeth, al- 
though it were nine times as large as that of a full-grown turkey, and put a bit of 
bread in her mouth as big as two twelvepenny loaves. She drank, out of her golden 
cup, above a hogshead at a draught. Her knives were twice as long as a scytne, set 
straight upon the handle. The spoons, forks and other instruments were all in the 
same proportion. I remember when Glumdalclitch carried me — out of curiosity — to 
see some of the tables at court, where ten or a dozen of those enormous knives and 
forks were lifted up together, I thought I had never till then beheld so terrible a 
sight. 

It is the custom that every Wednesday (which, as I have observed, is their sab- 
bath) the king and qu en, With the royal issue of both sexes, dine together in the 
apartment of his majesty, to whom 1 was now become a great favorite; and at these 
times my little chair and table were plrned at h s left hand, before one of the salt- 
cellars. This prince took a pleasure in conversing wish me, inquiring into the man- 
ners, religion, laws, government and learning of Europe; wh< rein I gave him the 
best account I was aide. Ilis apprehension was so clear, and his judgment so exact, 
that he made very wise reflections and observations upon all I said. But I confess 
that after I had been a little too copious in talking of my own beloved country, of 
our trade and wars by sea and land, of our schisms in religion and parties in the 
state, the prejudices of his education prevailed so far that he could not forbear tak- 
ing me up in nis right hand, and, stroking me gently with the other — after a hearty 
fit of laughter — asked me whether I was a whig or a toiv. Then turning to his first 
minister, who waited behind him with a white staff— nearly as tall as the mainmast of 
the Royal Sovereign — he obs rved, “how eontempt.ble a thing was human grandeur, 
which could be mimicked by such diminutive insects as I; and yet,” says he, ‘‘I 
dare engage these creatures have their titles and disdneti ns of honor ; they contrive 
little nests and burrows that they cull houses and cit.es; they make a figure and 
dress in equipage; they love, they fight, they d.spute, they cheat, they betray.” And 
thus he continued on, while my color came and went several times with indignation 
to hear our noble country — the mistress of arts and arms, the seat of virtue, piety, 
honor and truth, the pride and envy of the world — so contemptuously treated. 

But as I was not in a condition to resent injuries, so, upon mature thoughts, I be- 
gan to doubt whether I was injured or no. For, after having been accustomed 
several months to the sight and converse of this people, and ouserved every object 
upon which I cast mine eyes to be of proportionable magnitude, the horror I had at 
first conceived from their bulk and asp ct was so far worn off, that if I had then be- 
held a company of English lords and ladies in their finery and birthday clothes, act- 
ing their several parts in t ie most courtly manner of strutting and bowing and 
prating, to say the truth I should have been strongly tempted to laugh as much at 
them as the king and bis grandees did at me. Neither, indeed, could I forbear 
smiling at myself when the queen used to place me upon her hand toward a looking- 
glass, by which both our persons appeared before me in full view together, and there 
could be nothing more ridiculous than the comparison; so that I really began to 
imagine myself dwindled many degrees below my usual size. 

Nothing mortified and and angered me so much as the queen’s dwarf; who, being 
of the lowest stature that was ever in that country (for I verily think he was not full 
thirty feet high), became so insolent at seeing a creature so much beneath him, that 
he would always affect to swagger and look big as he passed by me in the queen’s 
antechamber, while I was stunting on some table talking with the lords or ladies of 
the court, and he seldom failed of a smart word or two upon my littleness; against 
which I could only revenge myself by calling him brother, challenging him to 
wrestle, and such repartees as are usually in the mouths of court pages. One day at 
dinner tins m licious little cub was so nettled with something I had said to him that, 
raising himself upon the frame of her majesty’s chair, he took me up by the middle, 
as I was sitting down not thinking any harm, and let me drop into a large silver 
bowl of cream, and then ran away as fast as he could. I fell o \ er head and ears, and, 
if 1 had not been a good swimmer, it might have gone very hard with me; for Giumdal- 
clitch in that instant happened to be at the other end of the room, and the queen 
was in such a fright that she wanted presence of mind to assist me. But my little 


A VOYAGE TO BBOEDDfONAG. 


iff 

fiurse ran to my relief, anrl took me out after I had swallowed above a quart of cream. 
I was put to bed; however I received no other damage than the loss of a suit of 
clothes, which were utterly spoiled. The dwarf was soundly whipped, and, as a fur- 
ther punishment, forced to drink up the bowl of cream into which he had thrown 
me ; neither was he ever restored to favor, for, soon after, the queen bestowed him 
on a lady of high quality, so that I saw him no more — to my very great satisfaction, 
for I could not tell to what extremity such a malicious urchin might have carried his; 
resentment. 

He had before served me a scurvy trick, which set the queen to laughing — although, 
at the same time, she was heartily vexed, and would have immediately cashiered, 
him if I had not been so generous as to intercede. Her majesty had taken a mar- 
low-bone upon her plate, and, after knocking out the marrow, placed the bone again 
on the dish erect, as it stood before; the dwarf, watching his opportunity while 
Glumdalclitch was gone to the sideboard, mounted the stool that she stood on to take 
care of me at meals, took me up in both hands, and, squeezing my legs together, 
wedged them into the marrow-bone above my waist, where I stuck for some time 
and made a very ridiculous figure. I believe it was near a minute before anyone 
knew what was become of me ; for I thought it beiow me to cry out. But, as prin- 
ces seldom get their meat hot, my legs were not scalded, only mv stockings and 
breeches in a sad condition. The dwarf, at my entreaty, had no other punishment 
than a sound whipping. 

I was frequently rallied by the queen upon account of my fearfulness, and she 
used to ask me whether the people of my country were as great cowards as myself. 
The occasion was this : the kingdom is much pestered with flies in the summer; and 
these odious insects, each of them as big as a Dunstable lark, hardly gave me any 
rest while I sat at dinner, with their continual humming and buzz ng about mine 
ears. They would sometimes alight upon my victuals; sometimes tney would fix 
upon my nose or forehead, where they stung me to the quick, smelling very offen- 
sively; and I could easily trace that viscous matter which, our naturalists tell us, 
enables those creatures to walk with their feet upward upon a ceiling. 1 had much 
ado to defend myself against these detestable animals, and could not forbear starting 
when they came on my face. It was the common practice of the dwarf to catch a 
number of these insects in his hand, as schoolboys do among us, and let them out 
suddenly under my nose, on purpose to frighten me and divert the queen. My rem- 
edy was to cut them in pieces with my knife as they flew in the air, wherein my 
dexterity was much admired. 

I remember one morning, when Glumdalclitch had set me in a box upon a window 
— as she usually did in fair d.tys — to give me air (for I durst not venture to let the 
box be hung on a nail out of the window, as we do with cages in England), after I 
had lifted up one of my sashes and sat down at my table to eat a piece of sweet cake 
for mv breakfast, above twenty wasps, allured by the smell, came flying into the 
room humming louder than the drones of as many bagpipes. Some of them seized 
my cake and carried it piecemeal away: others flew about my head and face, con- 
founding me with their noise and putting me in the utmost terror of their stings. 
However, I had the courage to rise and draw my hanger and attack them in the air. 
I despatched four of them, but the rest got away and I presently shut my window. 
These insects are as large as partridges; I took out their stings, found them an inch 
and a half long and as sharp as needles. I carefully preserved them all, and— hav- 
ing since shown them, with some other curiosities, in several parts of Europe — upon 
my return to England, I gave three of them to GreshainCollege and kept the fourth 
for myself. 


CHAPTER IV. 

The country described— A proposal for correcting modern maps-The king’s palace, and some ac- 
count of the metropolis— The author’s way of traveling— The chief temple described. 

I now intend to give the reader a short description of this country, as far as I 
traveled in it- — which was not above two thousand miles around Lorbrulgrud, the 

metropolis. Eor tho. queen I whom always attended, never went farther when she 


4a 


&TJLLIVEB*S TRaVeIA 




accompanied the king in his progresses, and there stayed till his majesty returned 
from viewing his front. ers. The whole extent of tiiis prince’s dominions reaches 
about six tiiousand miles in lengtn, and from three to five in breadth ; whence I 
cannot but conclude that our geographers of Europe are in a great error, by suppos- 
ing nothing but sea between Japan and California; for it was ever my opinion that 
there must be a balance of earth to counterpoise the great continent of Tartary, and 
therefore they ought to correct their maps and charts by joining this vast tract of 
land to the north-west parts of America — wherein I shall be ready to lend them my 
assistance. 

The kingdom is a peninsula, terminating to the north-east of a ridge of mountains 
thirty miles high, which are altogether impassable, by reason of the volcanoes upon 
the tops: neither do the most learned know what sort of mortals inhabit beyond 
those mountains, or whether they be inhabited at all. On the three other sides it is 
bounded by the ocean. There is* not one sea-port in the whole kingdom; and those 
parts of the coast into which the rivers issue are so full of pointed rocks, and the sea 
generally so rough, that there is no venturing with the smallest of their boats; so 
that these people are wholly excluded from any commerce with the rest of the world. 
But the large rivers are full of vessels, and abound with excellent fish : for they 
seldom get any from the sea, because the sea-fish are of the same size with those in 
Europe, and consequently not worth catching; whereby it is manifest, that nature, 
in the production of plants and animals of so extraordinary a bulk, is wholly con- 
fined to this continent, of which I leave the reasons to be determined by philoso- 
phers. However, now and then they take a whale that happens to be dashed against 
the rocks, which the common people feed on heartily. These whales I have known 
so large, that a man could hardly carry one upon his shoulders; and sometimes, for 
curiosity, they are brought in hampers to Lorbrulgrud : I saw one of them in a dish 
at the king’s table, which passed for a rarity, but I did not observe he was fond of 
it; for, I think indeed, the bigness disgusted him, although I have seen one some- 
what larger in Greenland. 

The country is well inhabited, for it contains fifty-one cities, near a hundred 
walled towns, and a great number of villages. To satisfy my curious reader it may 
be sufficient to describe Lorbrulgrud. The city stands upon almost two equal parts, 
on each side the river that passes through. It contains about eighty thousand 
houses, and about six hundred thousand inhabitants. It is in length about three 
alomglunga (which make about fifty-four English miles), and two and a half in 
breadth; as I measured it myself in the royal map made by the king’s orders, which 
was laid on the ground on purpose for me, and extended a hundred feet; I paced 
the diameter and circumference several times barefoot, and computing by the scale, 
measured it pretty exactly. 

.The king’s palace is no regular edifice, but a heap of buildings, about seven miles 
around: the chief rooms are generally two hundred and forty feet high, and broad 
and long in proportion. A coach was allowed to Glumdalclitch and me, wherein 
her governess frequently took her out to see the town, or go among the shops; and 
I was always of -the party, carried in my box; although the girl, at my own desire, 
would often take me out and hold me in her hand, that I might more Conveniently 
view the houses and the people as we passed along the streets. I reckoned our 
co ch to be about the square of Westminster-hall, but not altogether so high: how- 
ever, I cannot be very exact. One day the governess ordered the coachman to stop 
at several shops, where the beggars, watching their opportunity, crowded to the 
sides of the coach, and gave me the most horrible spectacle that ever an European 
eye beheld. 

Besides the large box in which I was usually carried, the queen ordered 
a smaller one to be made for me, of about twelve feet square, and ten high, 
for the convenience of traveling; because the other was somewhat too large 
for Glumdalclitch’s lap, and cumbersome in the coach; it was made by the 
same artist, whom I directed in the whole contrivance. This traveling closet 
was an exact square, with a window in the middle of three of the squares, 
and each window was latticed with iron wire on the outside, to prevent accidents in 
long journeys. On the fourth side, which had no window, two strong staples were 
fixed, through which the person who carried me, when I had a mind to be on horse- 
back, put a leathern belt, and buckled it about his waist. This was always the 
office of some grave and trusty servant, in whom I could confide, whether I attend- 


A VOYAGE TO BKOBD1NGNAG. 


47 


ed the king and queen in their progresses, or were disposed to see the gardens, or 
pay a visit to some great lady or minister of state in the court, w..en Glumdalclitch 
happened to be out of order; for 1 soon began to be known and esteemed among 
the greatest officers — I suppose more upon account of their majesty’s favor than any 
merit of mv own. In journeys, when I was weary of the coach, a servant on horse- 
back would buckle on my box, and place it upon a cushion before him ; and there I 
had a full prospect of the country on three sides, from my three windows. I had, 
in this closet, a field-bed and a hammock hung from the ceiling, two chairs and a 
table, neatly screwed to the floor, to prevent being tossed about by the agitation of 
the horse or the coach. And having neen long used to sea voyages, those motions, 
although sometimes very violent, did not much discompose me. 

Whenever I had a mind to see the town, it was always in my traveling closet; 
which Glumdalclitch held in her lap in a kind of open sedan, al ter the fashion of 
the country, borne by four men, and attended by two others in the queen’s livery. 
The people, who had often heard of me, were very curious to crowd about the sedan ; 
and the girl was complacent enough to make the bearers stop, and to take me in her 
hand that I might be more conveniently seen. 

I was very desirous to see the chief temple, and particularly the tower belonging 
to it, which is reckoned the highest in the kingdom. Accordingly, one day my 
nurse carried me thither, but I may truly say I came back disappointed; for the 
height is not above three thousand feet, reckoning from the ground to the highest 
pinnacle top; which, allowing for the difference between the size of those people 
and us in Europe, is no great matter for admiration, and not at all equal in propor- 
tion (if I rightly remember) to Salisbury steeple. But not to detract from a nation 
to which, during my life, I shall acknowledge myself extremely obliged, it must be 
allowed, that whatever this famous tower wants in height, is amply made up in 
beauty and strength: for the walls are near a hundred feet thick, built of hewn 
stone, whereof each is about forty feet square, and adorned on all sides with statues 
of gods and emperors, cut in marble, larger than life, placed in their several niches. 
I measured a little finger which had fallen down from one of these statues, and lay 
unperceived among some rubbish, and found it exactly four feet and one inch in 
length. Glumdalclitch wrapped it up in her handkerchief, and carried it home in 
her pocket, to keep among other trinkets, of which the girl was very fond, as chil- 
dren of her age usually are. 

The king’s kitchen is indeed a noble building, vaulted at top, and about six hun- 
dred feet high. The great oven is not so wide, by ten paces, as the cupola at St. 
Paul’s: for I measured the latter on purpose, after my return. But if I should de- 
scribe the kitchen grate, the prodigious pots and kettles, the joints of meats turned 
on the spits, with many other particulars, perhaps I should be hardly believed: at 
least a severe critic would be apt to think 1 enlarged a little, as travelers are often 
suspected to do. To avoid which censure, I fear 1 have run too much into the other 
extreme; and that if this treatise should happen to be translated into the language 
of Brobdingnag (which is the general name of that k.ngdom), and transmitted 
thither, the King and his people would have reason to complain that I had done 
them an injury, by a false and diminutive representation. 

His majesty seldom keeps above six hundred horses in his stables: they are gen- 
erally from fifty-four to sixty feet high. But when he goes abroad on solemn days, 
he is attended, for state, by a militia guard of five hundred horse, which, indeed, I 
thought was the most splendid sight that could be ever beheld, till I saw part of liis 
army 5 in battalia, whereof I shall find another occasion to speak. 


CIIAPTEll Y. 

Several adventures that happened to the author— The author shows his skill in navigation. 

I should have lived happy enough in that country, if my littleness had not exposed 
me to several ridiculous and troublesome accidents; some of which I shall venture 
to relate. Glumdalclitch often carried me into the gardens of the court in my 
smaller box and would sometimes take me out of it, and hold me in her hand, or 
set me down to walk. I remember, before the dwarf left the queen, he followed us 


4fi 


GULLIVER’S TRAVELS. 


one day into those gardens, and my nurse having set me down, he and I being close 
together, near some dwarf apple trees, I must needs show my wit, by a silly allusion 
between him and the trees, which happens to hold in their language as it does in 
ours. Whereupon the malicious rogue, watching his opportunity, when I was walk- 
ing under one of them, shook it directly over my head, hy which a dozen apples, 
each of them near as large as a Bristol barrel, came tumbling about my ears ; one of 
them hit me on the back as 1 chanced to stoop, and knocked me down flat on my 
face; but I received no other hurt, and the'dwarf was pardoned at my desire, be- 
cause I had given the provocation. 

Another day, Glumdalclitch left me on a smooth grass-plot to divert myself, whi'e 
she walked at some distance with her governess. In the meantime there suddenly 
fell such a violent shower of hail that I was immediately, by the force of it, struck 


jii-ui vine uui su uruiseu ironi neau 10 loot mat 1 couiu not go auioau 
— . Neither is this at all to be wondered at, because nature, in that coun- 

try, observing the same proportion through all her operations, a hailstone is near 
eighteen hundred times as large as one in Europe; which 1 can assert upon expe- 
rience, having been so curious to weigh and measure them. 

But a more dangerous accident happened to me in the same garden, where my 
little nurse, believing she had put me in a secure place (which I often entreated her 
to do, that I might enjoy my own thoughts), and having left the box at home, to 
avoid the trouble of carrying it, went to another part of the garden with her gov- 
erness and some ladies of her acquaintance. While she was absent, and out of 
hearing, a small, white spaniel, that belonged to one of the chief gardeners, having 
got by accident into the garden, happened to range near the place where 1 lay: the 
dog,, following the scent, came directly up, and taking me in his mouth, ran straight 
to his master, wagging his tail, and set me gently on the ground. By good fortune, 
he had been so well taught that I was carried between his teeth without the least 
hurt, or even tearing my clothes. But the poor gardener — who knew me well, and 
had a great kindness for me— was in a terrible fright: he gently took me up in both 
his hands, and asked me how I did; but I was so amazed and out of breath, that I 
could not speak a word. In a few minutes I came to myself, and he carri d me safe 
to my little nurse, who, by this time, had returned to the place where she left me, 
and was in cruel agonies when 1 did not appear, nor answer when she called. She 
severely reprimanded the gardener on account of his dog. But the thing was 
hushed up, and never known at court, for the girl was afraid of the queen’s auger; 
and truly, as to myself, I thought it would not be for my reputation that such a story 
should go about. 

/This accident absolutely determined Glumdalclitch never to trust me abroad for 
the future out ot her sight. I had been long afraid of this resolution, and therefore 
concealed from her some little unlucky adventures that happened in those times 
when I was left by myself. Once a kite, hovering over the garden, made a stoop at 
me, and it I had not resolutely drawn my hanger, and run under a thick espalier, he 
would have certainly carried me away in his talons. Another time, walking to the 
top of a fresh mole-hill, 1 fell to my neck in the hole through which that annual had 
cast up the earth, and coined some pretext, not worth remembering, to excuse my- 
self for spoiling my clothes. I likewise broke my right shin against the shell ot a 
snail, wnich I happened to stumble over, as I was walking along and thinking on 
poor England. o t> 6 

I cannot tell whether I was more pleased or mortified to observe, in these solita- 
ry walks, that the smaller birds did not appear to be at all afraid of me, but would 
hop about within a yard’s distance, looking for worms and other food, with as much 
indifference and security as if no creature at all were near them. I remember, a 
thrush had the confidence to snatch o-.t of my hand with his bill, a piece of cake 
that Glumdalclitch had just given me for my breakfast. When I attempted to catch 
any of these birds, they would boldly turn against me, endeavoring to peck ray 
lingers, which I durst not venture within their reach; and then they would hon 
back unconcerned, to hunt for worms or snails, as they did before. But one dav 1 
took a flack cudgel, and threw it with all my strength so luckily at a linnet, that I 
knocked him down, and seizing him by the neck with both my hands, ran with him 


A VOYAGE TO BBOBDINGNAG* 


49 

in triumph to my nurse. However, the bird, who had been only stunned, recover- 
ing himself, gave me so many boxes with his wings, on both sides of my head and 
body — though I held him at arm’s length, and was out of the reach of his clawE — 
that I was twenty times thinking to let him go. But I was soon relieved by one of 
our servants, who wrung off the bird’s neck, and I had him next day for dinner, by 
the qu en’s command. This linnet, as near as I can remember, seemed to be some- 
what larger than an English swan. 

The queen, who often used to hear me talk of sea-voyages, and took all occasions 
to divert me when 1 was melancholy, asked me whether i understood how to handle 
a sail or oar, and whether a little exercise of rowing might not be convenient for my 
health? I answered that I understood both very well: for although my proper em- 
ployment had been to be surgeon or doctor to the ship, yet often, upon a pinch, I 
was loreed to work like a common mariner. But I could not sec how this could be 
done in their country, where the smallest wherry was equal to a first-rate man-o;-\vax 
among us ; and such a boat as I could manage would never live in any of their 
rivers. Her majesty said, “If I would contrive a boat, her own joiner should make 
it, and she would provide a place for it to sail in.” The fellow was an ingenious 
workman, and by my instructions, in ten days finished a pleasure boat, with all its 
tackling, able conveniently to hold eight Europeans. When it was finished, the 
queen was so delighted that she ran with it in her lap to the king, who ordered it 
to be put in a cistern full of water, with me in it, by way of trial, where I could not 
manage my two sculls, or little oars, for want of room. But the queen had before 
contrived another project. She ordered the joiner to make a wooden trough of 
three hundred feet Ion?, fifty broad, and eight deep; which being well pitched to pre- 
vent leaking, was placed on the floor along the wad, in an outer room of the palace. 
It had a cock near the bottom, to let out the water when it began to grow stale; and 
two servants could easily fill it in half an hour. Here I used often to row for my own 
diversion, as well as that of the queen and her ladies, who thought themselves well 
entertained with my skill and agility. Sometimes I would put up mv sail, and then 
my business was only to steer, while the ladies gave me a gale with their fans; and, 
when they were weary, some of their pages would blow my sail forward with their 
Dreath, while I showed my art by steering starboard or larboard as I pleased. When 
I had done, Glumdalcliteh always carried back my boat into her closet, and hung it 
on a nail to dry. 

In this exercise I once met an accident which had like to have cost me my life; 
for one of the pages having put my boat into the trough, the governess who attended 
Glumdalcliteh very officiously lilted me up to place me in the boat; but I happened 
to slip through her fingers, and should infallibly have fallen down forty feet upon 
the floor if, by the luckiest chance in the world, I had not been stopped by a cork- 
ing-pin that stuck in the good gentlewoman’s stomacher. The head of the pin 
passed between my shirt and the waistband of my breeches, and thus I was held by 
the middle in the air till Glumdalcliteh ran to my relief. 

Another time one of the servants, whose office it was to fill my trough every third 
day with fresh water, w is so careless to let a huge frog (not perceiving it) slip out of 
his pail. The frog lay concealed till I was put in my boat, but then, seeing a resting 
place, climbed up, and made it lean so much on one side that I was forced to bal- 
ance it with all my weight on the other to prevent overturning. When the frog was 
got in it hopped at once half the length of the boat and then over my head, back- 
ward and farward, daubing my faee and clothes with its odious slime. The large- 
ness of its features made it appear the most deformed animal that can be conceivecf. 
However, I desired Glumdalcliteh to let me deal with it a one. I banged it a good 
while with one of mv sculls, and at last forced it to leap out of the boat. 

But the greatest clanger I ever underwent in that kingdom was from a monkey, 
who belonged to one of the clerks of the kitchen. Glumdalcliteh had locked me up 
in her closet, while she went somewhere upon business or a visit. The wcatner be- 
ing very warm the closet window was left open, as well as the windows and the door 
of my bigger box, in which I usually lived because of its largeness and conveniency. 
As I sat quietly meditating at my table, I heard something bounce in at the closet 
window and skip about from one side to the other; whereat, although I was much 
alarmed, yet I ventured to look out — but not stirring from my seat— and then I saw 
this frolicsome animal frisking and leaping up and down till at last ho came to my 
box, which he seemed to view with great pleasure and curiosity — peeping in at the 


w 


•fixivee’s travels. 


door and every window. I retreated to the farther corner of my room, or box; btti 
the monkey, looking in at every side, put me into such a fright that I wanted pres- 
ence of mind to conceal myself under the bed, as 1 might easily have done. After 
some time spent in peeping, grinning and chattering, he at last espied me, and, 
reaching one of his paws in at the door — as a cat does when she plays with a mouse 
— although I often shifted place o avoid him, he at length seized the lapett of my 
ooat (which, being made of that country silk, was very thick and strong) and dragged 
me out. He took me up in his right forefoot and held me as a nurse does a child — 

i ust as I have seen the same sort of creature do with a kitten in Europe — and when 
! offered to struggle he squeezed me so hard that I thought it more prudent to sub- 
mit. I have good reason to believe that he took me for a young one of his own 
species, by his often stroking my face very gently with his other paw. In th se di- 
version he was interrupted by a noise at ihe closet door, as if somebody were open- 
ing it; whereupon he suddenly leaped up to the window at which he had come in, 
and thence upon the leads and gutters — walking upon three legs and holding me in 
the fourth — t.ll he clambered up a roof next to ours. I 1 eard Glumdalclitch give a 
shriek at the moment he was carrying me out. The poor girl was almost detracted; 
that quarter of the palace was ali in an uproar; the servants ran for ladders; the 
monkey was seen by hundreds in the court, sitting upon the ridge of a building, 
holding me like a baby in one of his forepaws and feeding me with the other by 
cramming into my mouth some victuals he had squeezed out of the bag on one side 
of his chaps, and patting me when 1 would not eat; whereat many of the rabble be- 
low could not forbear laughing — neither do I think they justly ought to be blamed, 
for, without question, the sight was ridiculous enough to everybody but myself. 
Some of the people threw up stones, hoping to drive the monkey down; but this 
was strictly forbidden, or else, very probably, my brains had been dashed out. 

The ladders were now applied, and mounted by several men; which the monkey 
observing — and finding himself almost encompassed — not being able to make speed 
enough with his three legs, let me drop on a ridge tile and made his escape. Here I 
sat for some time, five hundred yards from the ground, expecting every moment to 
be blown down by the wind, or to fall by my own giddiness and come tumbling over 
and over from the ridge to the eaves ; but an honest lad — one of my nurse’s footmen 
—climbed up, and, putting me into his breeches pocket, brought me down safe. 

I was almost choked with the filthy stuff the monkey crammed down my throat; 
but my dear little nurse picked it out of my mouth with a small needle, and then I 
iell to vomiting, which gave me great relief. Yet I was so weak and bruised in the 
eides with the squeezes given me by this odious animal that I was forced to keep my 
bed a fortnight. The king, queen and all the court sent every day to inquire after 
my health, and her majesty made me several visits during my sickness. The mon- 
key was killed, and an order made that no such animal should be kept about the 
palace. 

When I attended the king after my recovery, to return him thanks for his favors, 
he was pleased to rally me a good deal upon this adventure. He asked me “ what 
my thoughts and speculations were while I lay in the monkey’s paw; how I liked 
the victuals he gave me; his manner of feeding, and whether the fresh air on the 
roof had sharpened my stomach.” He desired to know “ what I would have done 
upon such an occasion in my own country.” I told his majesty “ that in Europe we 
had no monkeys, except such as were brought for curiosities from other places, and 
so small that I could deal with a dozen of them together if they presumed to attack 
me. And as for that monstrous animal with whom I was so lately engaged (it was, 
indeed, as large as an elephant), if my fears had suffered me to think so far as to 
make use of my hanger (looking fiercely and clapping my hand upon the hilt as I 
spoke) when he poked his paw into my chamber, perhaps I should have given him 
such a wound as would have made him glad to withdraw it, with more haste than he 
put it in.” This I delivered in a i.rm tone, like a person who was jealous lest his 
courage should be called in question. However, my speech produced nothing else 
bes.de a loud laughter, which all the respect due to his majesty from those about 
him could not make them contain. This made me reflect how vain an attempt it is 
for a man to endeavor to do himself honor among those who are out of all degrees of 
equality or comparison with him. And yet I have seen the moral of my own behav- 
ior very frequent in England since my return; where a little contemptible varlet, 
without the least title to birth, person, wit or common sense shall presume to look 


A VOYAGE to broedingnag. 


m 


trith importance and put himself upon a footing with the greatest person of the 
kingdom. 

I was every day furnishing the court Avith some ridiculous story ; and Glumdal- 
ditch, although she loved me to excess, yet avrs arch enough to inform the queen 
whenever I committed any folly that she thought would be diverting to her majesty. 
The girl, who had been out of order, was carried by her governess to take tne air 
about an hour’s distance — or thirty miles — from toAvn. They alighted out of the 
coach near a small footpath in afield, and, Glumdalclitch setting down my traveling: 
box, I went out of it to A\alk. There was a heap of mud in the path, and I must- 
needs try my activity by aitempting to leap over it. I took a run, but unfortunately 
jumped short, and found myself in the middle just up to my knees. I Avaded 
through with some difficulty, and one of the footmen wiped me as clean as he could 
with his handkerchief — for I Avas filthily bemired — and my nurse confined me to my 
box till we returned home, when the queen was soon informed of what had passed 
and the footmen spread it about the court; so that all the mirth for some days waa 
at my expense. 


CHAPTER VI. 

Several contrivances of the author to please the king an-1 queen— He shows his skill In music— 
The king inquires into the state of England, whicn the author relates to him— The king’s ob- 
servations thereon. 

I used to attend the king’s levee once or twice a week, and had often seen him 
under the barber’s hand; which, indeed, was at first verv terrible to behold, for the 
razor was almost twice as long as an ordinary scythe, ftis majesty, according to the 
custom of the country, was only shaved twice a week. I once prevailed on the bar- 
ber to give me some of the suds or lather, out of which I picked forty < r fifty of the 
strongest stumps of hair. I then took a piece of fine wood and cut it like the Sack 
of a comb, making several holes in it at equal distances with as small a needle as I 
could get from Glumdalclitch. I fixed in the stumps so artificially — scraping and 
sloping them with my knife toward the points — that I made a very tolerable comb; 
which was a seasonable supply, my own being so much broken in the teeth that it 
was almost useless — neither did I know any artist in that country so nice and exact 
as would undertake to make me another. 

And this puts me in mind of an amusement wherein I spent many of my leisure 
hours. I desired the queen’s woman to save for me the combings of her majesty's 
hair, whereof in time I got a good quantity; and consulting Avith my friend the cab- 
inet-maker — who had received general orders to do little jobs for me— I directed him 
to make two chair-fiames, no larger than those I had in my box, and to bore little 
holes with a fine awl around those parts where I designed the backs and seats; 
through these holes I wove the strongest hairs 1 could pick out, just after the man- 
ner of the cane chairs in England. When they were finished I made a present of 
them to her majesty, who kept them in her cabinet and used to show them for cur- 
iosities — as, indeed, they Avere the wonder of everyone that beheld them. The queen 
would have had me sit upon one of these chairs, but I absolutely refused to obey her, 
protesting I would rather die a thousand deaths than sit on those precious hairs that 
once adorned her majesty’s head. Of these hairs (as I had always a mechanical 
genius) I likeAvise made a neat little purse about five feet long, with her majesty’s 
name deciphered in gold letters, which I gave to Glumdalclitch by the queen’s con- 
sent. To say the truth, it was more for show than use, being not of strength to bear 
the weight of the larger coins; and therefore she kept nothing in it but some little 
toys that girls are fond of. 

The king, who delighted in mus'c, had frequent concerts at court, to which I was 
sometimes carried and set in my box on the table to hear them ; but the noise was so 
great that I could hardly distinguish the tunes. I am confident that all the drums 
and trumpets of a royal army, beating and sounding together just at your ears, could 
not equal it. My practice was to have my box removed from the place where the 

S erformers sat, as far as I could, then to shut the doors and Avindows of it and draw 
ie window curtains; after which I found their music not disagreeable. 


52 


GTTLLirElCa TRAVELS. 


I had learned, in my youth, to play a little upon the spinet. Glumdalclitch kept 
one in her chamber, and a master attended twice a week to teach her — I called it a 
spinet, because it somewhat resembled that instrument and was played upon in the 
same m inner. A fancy came into my head that I would entertain the king and 

3 ucen with, an English tune upon this instrument. But this appeared extremely 
iflacu.lt ; for the spinet was nearly sixty feet long, each key being almost a foot wide, 
so that — with my arms extended — I could not reach to above five keys; and to press 
them down required a good, smart stroke with my fist, which would be too great a 
labor and to no purpose. The method I contrived was this : I prepared two round 
sticks, about the bigness of common cudgels; they were thicker at one end than the 
other, and I covered the thicker ends with pieces of a mouse’s skin, that, by rapping 
on them, I might neither damage the tops of the keys nor interrupt the sound. Be- 
fore the spinet a benoli was placed, about four feet below the keys, and I was put 
upon the bench. I r.in side ling upon it, that way and this, ns fast as I could, bang- 
ing the proper keyl with my two sticks, and made a shift to play a jig — to the great sat 
isfaction of both their majesties; but it was the most violent exercise that I ever 
underwent. And yet I could not strike above sixteen keys, nor consequently play 
the Lass and treble together, as other artists do; which was a great disadvantage to 
my performance. 1 

The king — who, as I before observed, was a prince of excellent understanding — 
•would frequently order that I should be brought in my box and set upon the table 
in his closet, lie would then command me to bring one of my chairs out of my box 
and sit down, within three yards’ distance, upon the top of the cabinet; which 
brought me almost to a level with his face. In this manner I had several conver- 
sations with him. I one day took the freedom to tell his majesty “that the contempt 
he discovered toward Europe, and the rest of the world, did not seem answerable to 
those excel. ent quaLties of mind that he was master ol ; that reason did not extend 
itself with the bulk of the body — on the contrary, we observed in our country that 
the tallest persons were usually the least provided with it; that, among other ani- 
ma’s, bees and ants had the reputation of more industry, art and sagacity than many 
of the larger kinds, and that, as inconsiderable as he took me to be, I hoped I might 
live to do iiis majesty some s.gnal service.” The king heard me with attention and 
began to conceive a much better opinion of me than he had ever before. He desired 
“ I would give him as exact an account of the government of England as I possibly 
could ; because, as lond as princes commonly are of their own customs (for so he 
conjectured of other monarchs by my iormer discourses), he should be glad to hear 
of anything that might deserve imitation.” 

Imagine with thyself, courteous reader, how often I then wished for the tongue of 
Demo>tlienes or Cicero, that might have enabled me to celebrate the praise of my 
own dear native country in a sty e equal to its merits and felicity. 

1 began my d scourse by informing his majesty that our dominions consisted of 
two islands, which composed three mighty kingdoms under one sovereign, besides our 
plantations :n America. I dwelt long upon the fertility of our soil and the temperature 
of our climate. I then spoke at large upon the constitution of an English parliament; 
partly made up of an illustrious body, called the house of peers, persons of the no- 
Llest blood, and of the most ancient a.nd ample patrimonies. I described that ex- 
traordinary care was always taken of their education in arts and arms, to qualify 
them for being counselors bota to the king and kingdom; to have a share in the 
legi lature; to be members in the highest court of judicature, whence there can be 
no appeal; and to be champions always ready for the defense of their prince and 
country, by their valoi , conduct and fidelity. That these were the ornament and 
bulwark of the kingdom, worthy followers of their most renowned ancestors, whose 
honor had been the reward of their virtue, from which their posterity were never 
once known to degenerate. To these were joined several holy persons, as part of 
that assembly, under the title of bishops, whose peculiar business is to take care of 
religion, and of those who instruct the people therein. These were searched and 
soug .t out through the whole nation, by the prince and his wisest counselors, 
among such of toe priesthood as were most deservedly distinguished by the sanctity 
oi their life and the depth of their erudition ; who were, indeed, the spiritual fath- 
ers of the clergy and the people. 

That the other part of the parliament consisted of an assembly, called the House 
of Commons, who were all principal gentleman, freely picked and culled out hy the 


A V07AGH TO BROBDItfGNAtf. 


S3 


people themselves, by their great abilities and love of their oountry, to represent the 
wisdom of the whole nation. And that these two bodies made up the most august 
assembly in Europe, to whom, in conjunction with the prince, the whole legislature 
is committed. 

I then descended to the courts of justice, over which the judges, those venerable 
sages and interpreters of the Jaw, presided, for determining the disputed rights and 
properties of men, as well as for the punishment of vice and protection of inno- 
cence. I mentioned the prudent management of our treasury; the valor and achieve- 
ments of our forces, by sea and land. I computed the number of our people by 
reckoning how many millions there might be of each religious sect or political 
narty among us. I did not omit even our sports and pastimes, or any other particu- 
lars which 1 thought might redound to the honor of my country. And 1 tinished all 
with a brief historical account of affairs and events in England for about a hundred 
years past. 

Tuis conversation was not ended under five audences, each of several hours ; 
and the king heard ihe whole with great attention, frequent'y taking notes of 
what I spoke, as well as memorandums of what questions he intended to ask me. 

When 1 had put an end to these long discourses, his majesty, in a sixth audience, 
consulting his notes, proposed many doubts, queries and objections uron every arti- 
cle. He asked, What methods were used to cultivate the minds and bodies of our 
young nobi.ity, and in what kind ot business they commonly spent the first and 
most teachable part of their lives? What course was taken to supply that assembly 
when any noble family became extinct? What qualifications were necessary in 
those who are to be created new Ions; whether the humor of the prince, a sum of 
money to a court ndy, or a design of strengthening a party opposite to the public 
interest ever happened to be the motive in those advancements? What share of 
knowledge these lords had in .the laws of the r country, and how they came by it, 
so as to enable them to decide the properties of their fellow-subjects in the last re- 
sort? Whether they were always so free from avarice, partialities, or want, that a 
bribe, or some other sinister view, .cou d have no place among them ? Whether those 
holy lords I spoke of were always promoted to tnat rank on account of their knowl- 
edge in religious matters, and the sanct.ty of their lives; had never been compilers 
with the times while they were common priests; or slavish prostitute chaplains to 
some noblemen, whose opinions they continued servilely to follow after they were 
admitted into tiiat assembly ?’* 

He then desired to know, “What arts were practiced in electing those whom I 
called commoners ; whether a stranger, with a strong purse, might not influence the 
vulgar voters to choose him before tneir own landlord*, or tne most considerable gen- 
tleman in the neighborhood? How it came to pass that people were so violently 
bent upon getting into this assembly, whicii I allowed to be a great trouble and ex- 
pense, often to the ruin of their f miiies, without any salary or pension; because 
this appeared such an exalted strain of virtue and public spir.t that his majesty 
seemed to doubt it might possibly not be always sincere ?" And he desired to know 
“ whether such zealous gentlemen could have any views of refunding themselves for 
the charges and trouble they were at, by sacrificing the public good to the designs 
of a weak and vicious prince, in conjunction with a corrupted ministry?" He mul- 
tiplied his questions, a: d sifted me thoroughly upon every part of this head, pro- 
posing numberless inquiries and objections, which I think it not prudent or con- 
venient to repeat. 

Upon what I said in relation to our courts of justice, his majesty desired to be sat- 
isfied in several points ; and this 1 was the better able to do, having been formerly 
almost ruined by a long suit in Chancery, which was decreed lor me with costs. He 
asked, “what time was usually spent in determining between right and wrong, and 
what degree of expense? Whether advocates and orators had liberty to plead in 
causes manifestly known to be unjust, vexatious, or oppressive ? Whether party, in 
jeligion or politics, was observed to be of any weight in the scale of justice? 
Whether those pleading orators were persons educated in the general knowledge of 
equity, or only in provincial, national, and other local customs? Whether they or 
their judges had any part in penning those laws, which they assumed the liberty of 
interpreting and glossing upon at their pleasure? Whether they had ever, at differ- 
ent times, pleaded for and against the same cause, and cited precedents to prove 
contrary opinions? Whether they were a rich or a poor corporation? Whether 


54 


GULLIVER’S TRAVELS. 


they received any pecuniary reward for pleading or delivering their opinions? And 
particularly, whether they were ever admitted as members in the lower senate? 

Hefei' iext upon the management of- our treasury, and said, “He thought my 
memory had failed me, because I computed our taxes at about five or six mil* 
lions a year ; and when I came to mention the issues, he found they sometimes 
amounted w more than double; for the notes he had taken were very particular in 
this point, because he hoped, as he told me, that the knowledge of our conduct 
might be useful to him, and he could not be deceived in his calculations. But if 
what I told him were true, he was still at a loss how a kingdom could run out of its 
estate, like a private person.” He asked me, “ who were our creditors, and where 
we found money to pay them?” He wondered to hear me talk of such chargeable 
and expensive wars ; “that certainly we must be a quarrelsome people, or live among 
very bad neighbors, and that our generals must needs be richer than our kings. ’ 
He asked, “ What business we had out of our own islands, unless upon the score of 
trade, or treaty, or to defend the coast with our fleets?” . Above all he was amazed 
to hear me talk of a mercenary standing army in the midst of peace and among a 
free people. He said, “ If we were governed by our own consent, in the persons 
of our representatives, he c*<uld not imagine of whom we were afraid, or against 
whom we were to fight ; and would hear my opinion, whether a private man’s nouse 
might not be better defended byu himself, his children, and family, than by half a 
dozen rascals, picked up at a venture in the streets for small wages, who might get a 
hundred times more by cutting their throats?” 

He laughed at my “odd kind of arithmetic,” as he was pleased to call it, “in 
reckoning the numbers of our people by a computation drawn from the several sects 
among us in religion and politics.” He said, “ He knew no reason why those who 
entertain opinions prejudicial to the public should be obliged to change, or should 
not be obliged to conceal them. And as it was tyranny in any government to re- 
quire the first, so it was weakness not to enforce the second; for a man may 
be allowed to keep poisons in his closet, but not to vend them for cordials.” 

He observed, “That among the diversions of our nobility and gentry I had men- 
tioned gaming; he desired to know at what age this entertainment was usually 
taken up, and when it was laid down; how much of their time it employed ; whether 
it ever went so high as to affect their fortunes; whether mean, vicious people, by 
their dexterity in that art, m ! ght not arrive at great riches, and sometimes keep our 
very nobles in dependence, as well as habituate them to vile companions ; wholly 
take them from the improvement of their minds, and force them, by the losses they 
received, to learn and practice that infamous dexterity upon others.” 

He was perfectly astonished with the historical account I gave him of our affairs 
during the last century ; protesting it was only a heap of conspiracies, rebellions, 
murders, massacres, revolutions, banishments, the very worst effects that avarice, fac- 
tion, hypocrisy, perfidiousness, cruelty, rage, madness, and ambition could produce. 

llis majesty, in another audience, was at the pains to recapitulate the sum of all I 
had spoken, compared the questions he made with the answers I had given; then, 
taking me into his hands, and stroking me gently, delivering himself of these words, 
which I shall never forget, nor the manner he spoke them in: “My little friend Grildrig, 
you have made a most admirable panegyric upon your country; you have clearly 
proved that ignorance, idleness and vice are the proper ingredients for qualifying a 
legislator; that laws are best explained, interpreted and applied by those whose in- 
terest and abilities lie in perverting, confounding and eluding them. I observe 
among you some lines of an- institution, which in its original might have been toler- 
able, but these half erased, and the rest whollv blurred and blotted by corruption. 
It does not appear, from all you have said, how any one perfection is required 
toward the procurement of any one station among you, much less, that men are en- 
nobled on account of their virtue; that priests are advanced for the if piety or learn- 
ing; soldiers, for their conduct or valor; judges, for their integrity; senators, for 
the love of their country ; or counselors for their wisdom. As for yourself,” con- 
tinued the king, “who have spent the greatest part of your life in traveling, I am 
well disposed to hope you may hitherto have escaped many vices of your country. 
But by what I have gathered from your own relation, and the answers I have with 
much pains wringed and extorted from you, I cannot but conclude the bulk of your 
natives to be the most pernicious race of little odious vermin that nature ever suf- 
fered to crawl upon the surface of the earth.” 


▲ YOTAGK TO BROBBZNGKAG. 


m 


CHAPTER VII. 

The author’s love of his country — He makes a proposal of much advantage to the king, which ia 
rejected— -The king’s great ignorance iu politics — Tlie learning in tnat country very imperfeot 
and confined— Tue laws, and military affairs, and parties iu tlie state. 

Nothing but an extreme love of truth could have hindered me from concealing 
this part of my story. It was in vain to discover my resentments, which were always 
turned into ridicule; and I was forced to rest with patience, while my noble and be- 
loved country was so injuriously treated. I am as heartily sorry as any of my read- 
ers can possibly be that such an occasion was given ; but this prince happened to bo 
so curious and inquisitive upon every particular that it could not consist either with 
gratitude or good manners to refuse giving him what satisfaction I was able. Yet 
this much I may be allowed to say in my own vindication, that I arttully eluded 
many of his questions, and gave to every point a more favorable turn, by many de- 
grees, than the strictness of truth would aiiow. For I have always borne that lauda- 
ble partiality to my own country, which Dionysius Haiicarnassensis, with so much 
justice, recommends to an historian ; I would hide the frailties and deformities of 
my political mother, and place her virtues and beauties in the most advantageoua 
light. This was my sincere endeavor iu those many discourses I had with that mon- 
arch, although it unfortunately failed of success. 

But great allowance should be given to a king who lives wholly secluded from tho 
rest of the world, and must therefore be altogether unacquainted witn the manners 
and customs that most prevail in other nations ; the want of which knowledge will 
ever produce many prejudices, and a certain narrowness of thinking, from which, 
we, and the politer countries of Europe, are wholly exempted. And it would bo bard 
indeed if so remote a prince’s notions of virtue and vice were to be offered as a 
standard for all mankind. 

To confirm what I have now said, and further to show the miserable effects of a 
confined education, I shall here insert a passage whicu will hardly obtain belief. In 
hopes to further ingratiate myself into his majesty’s favor, I told him of 
“an invention discovered between three and four years ago, to make a certain 
powder, into a heap of which the smallest spark of fire falling, would kindle the 
whole in a moment, although it were as big as a mountain, and make it all fly up in 
the air together, with a noise and agitation greater than thunder. That a proper 
quantity of tiiis powder rammed into a hollow tube of brass or iron, according to its 
bigness, would drive a ball ot iron or lead with such violence and speed as nothing 
was able to sustain its force. That the largest balls thus discharged would not only 
destroy who e ranks of an army at once, but batter the strongest walls to the grouud; 
sink down ships, with a thousand men in each, to the bottom of the sea; and when 
linked together by a chain would cut through masts and rigging, divide hundreds of 
bodies in the middle, and lay all waste before them. That we often put this powder 
into large, hollow balls of iron, and discharged them by an engine into some city we 
were besieging, which would rip up the pavements, tear the houses to pieces, burst 
and throw splinters on every side, dashing out the brains of all who came near. That 
I knew the ingredients very well, which were cheap and common ; I understood the 
manner of compounding them, and could direct his workmen how to make those 
tubes of a size proportionable to all other things in his majesty’s kingdom, and tho 
largest need not be above a hundred feet long; twenty or thirty ot which tubes*, 
charged with the proper quantity of powder and bails, would batter down the walls 
of the strongest town in his dominions in a few hours, or destroy the whole metrop- 
olis, if ever it should pretend to dispute his absolute commands. This I humbly of- 
fered to his majesty as a small tribute of acknowledgment iu turn for so many marks 
that I had received of his royal favor and protection. 

The king was struck with horror at the description I had given of those terrible 
engines, and the proposal I had made. “He was amazed, how so impotent and grov- 
eling an insect as I” (these were his expressions) “could entertain such inhuman 
ideas, and in so familiar a manner as to appear wholiy unmoved at all the scenes of 
blood and desolation which I had painted as the common effects of those destruct- 


66 


GULLIVER’S TRAVELS. 


ive machines; whereof,” he said, “ some evil genius, enemy to mankind, must have 
been the first contriver. As for himself,” he protested “ that, although lew things 
delighted him so much as new discoveries in art or nature, vet he would rather lose 
half his kingdom than be privy to such a secret; which lie commanded me, as I 
valued my life, never to mention any more.” 

A strange effect of narrow principles and views — that a prince possessed of every 
quality which procures veneration, love, and esteem; of strong units, great wisdom, 
and profound learning, endowed with admirable talents, and almost adored by his 
subjects, should from a n.ce, unnecessary, scruple — whereof in Europe we can have 
no conception — let slip an opportuni y put into his hands that tfould have made 
him absolute master of the lives, the liberties, and the fortunes of his people. 
Neither do I say this with the least intention to detract from the many virtues of 
that excellent king, whose character, I am sensible, will on this account be very 
much lessened in the opinion of an English reader: but I take this defect among 
them to have risen from their ignoronce, by not having hitherto reduced politics 
into a science, as the more acute wits of Europe have done. For I remember very 
well in a discourse one day with the king, when 1 happened to say, “there were sev- 
eral thousand books among us written upon the art ot government,” it gave him — 
directly contrary to my intention — a very mean opinion of our understandings. He 
professed both to abominate and despise all mystery, refinement, and intrigue, either 
m a prince or a minister. He could not tell what I meant by secrets of state, where 
an enemy, or some rival nation, were not in the case. He confined the knowledge 
of governing within very narrow boun is, to common sense and reason, to justice 
and lenity, to the speedy determination of civil and criminal causes; witn some 
other obvious topics, which are not worth considering. And he gave it for his opin- 
ion, “That whoever could make two ears of corn, or two blades of grass, to grow up- 
on a spot.of ground where only one grew beiore, would deserve better of mankind, 
and do more essential service to his country, than the whole race of politicians put 
together.” 

The learning of this people is very defective — consisting only of morality, history, 
poetry, and mathematics, wherein they must be allowed to excel. But the last of 
these is whoily applied to what may be useful in life, to the improvement of agri- 
culture, and all mechanical arts; so that union ' us it would be lit.le esteemed. And 
as to ideas, entities abstractions, and transcendentals, I could never drive the least 
conception into their heads. 

No law in that country must exceed in words the number of letters in their alpha- 
bet, which consists oniy of two and twenty. But indeed few of them extend even 
to that length. They are expressed in the most plain and simple terms, wherein 
those people are not mercurial enough to d scover above one inteipretation: and to 
write a comment upon any law is a capital crime. As to ihe decision of civil causes, 
or proceedings against criminals, th ir precedents are so few that they have little 
reason to boast of extraordinary skill in either. 

They have had the art of printing, as well as the Chinese, time out of mind: but 
their libraries are not very large, for that of the king, which is reckoned the largest, 
does not amount to above a thousand volumes, placed in a gallery of twelve hundred 
feet long, whence I had liberty to borrow what uooks 1 pleased. The queen’s joiner 
had contrived, in one of Glumdalclitca’s rooms, a kind of wooden machine, five and 
twenty feet high, formed like a stunning ladder; the steps were eacn fifty ieet long: 
it was indeed a moveable pair of stairs, the lowest end pla. -. I at ten feet distance 
from the wall of the chamber. The book 1 had a mind to read was put up leaning 
against the wall: I first mounted to the upper step of the ladder, and turning my 
face toward the book, began at the top of the page, and so walking to the light and 
left about eight or ten paces, according to the length of the lines, till 1 had gotten a 
little beiow tne level of mine eyes, and then descending gradually till I came to the 
bottom: after which I mounted again and began the other page in the same manner, 
and so turned over the leaf, which I could easily do with both my hands, for it was 
as thick and stiff as pastebouru, and in the largest folios not above eighteen 
or twenty feet long. 

Their style is clear, masculine, and smooth, but not florid; for they avoid nothing 
more than multiplying unnecessary words, or using va ious expressions. I have 
perused many of their books, especially those on history and morality. Among the 
rest, X was much diverted with a little old treatise, which always lay in Giumilal- 


A VOYAGE TO BROBDIXGNAG* 


57 


ditch s chamber, and belonged to her governess, a grave, elderly gentlewoman, who 
dealt in morality and devotion. The hook treats of the weakness of human kind, 
and is in little esteem, except among the women and the vulgar. However, 1 was 
curious to see what an author of that country could say upon such a subject. This 
writer went through all the usual topics of European moralists, showing “how 
diminutive, contemptible, and helpless an animal was man in his own nature; how 
unable to dt lend himself from the inclemencies of the # air, or the fury of wild 
beasts: how much lie was excelled by one creature in strength, by another in speed, 
by a third in foresight, by a fourth in industry.” He added, “That nature was de- 
generated in these latter declining ages of the world, and could now produce only 
small, abortive births, in comparison of those in ancient times.” He said, “it was 
very reasonable to think, not only that the species of nun were originally much 
larger, but also that there must have been giants in former ages: which, as it is as- 
serted by history and tradition, so it has been confirmed by huge bones and skulls, 
casually dug up in several parts of the kingdom, far exceeding the common dwin- 
dled race of men in our days ” He argued, “That the very laws of nature absolute- 
ly required we should have been made, in the beginning, of a size more large and 
robust; not so liable to destruction from every little accident, of a tile falling from 
a house, or a stone cast from the hand of a boy, or being drowned in a little brook.” 
From this way of reasoning, the author drew several moral applications, useful in 
the conduct of life, but needless here to repeat. For my own part, I could not avoid 
reflecting how universally this talent was spread, of drawing lectures in morality, or 
indeed rather matter of discontent and repining, from the quarrels we raise with 
nature. And I believe, upon a strict inquiry, those quarrels might be shown as ill- 
grounded among us as th; y are among t.iat people. 

As to their military aflaiis, they boast th t the king’s army consists of a hundred 
and seventy-six thousand foot, and thirty -two thousand horse — if that may be called 
an army which is made up of tradesmen in the several cities and farmers in the 
country, whose commanders are only the nobility or gentry, without pay or reward. 
Tiiey are indeed perfect enough in their exercises, and under very good discipline, 
wherein 1 saw no great merit; for how should it be otherwise, where every farmer 
is under the command of his own landlord, and every cit zen under that of the prin- 
cipal men in his own city, chosen, alter the manner of Venice, by ballot? 

I have often seen the militia of Lorbrulgrud drawn out to excercise, in a great 
field near the city of twenty miles square. They were in all not above twenty-five 
thousand foot, and six thousand horse; but it was impossible for me to compute 
their number, considering the space of ground they took up. A cavalier, mounted 
on a large steed, might be about ninety feet high. I have seen this whole body of 
horse, upon the word of command, draw their swords at once, and brandish them in 
the air. Imagination can figure nothing so grand, so surprising, and so astonishing I 
It looked as if ten thousand flashes ot lightning were darting at the same time from 
eve y quarter of the sky. 

I was curious to know how this prince, to whose dominions there is no access from 
any other country, came to think of armies, or to teach his people the practice of 
m litary discipline. But I was soon informed, both by conversation and reading 
their histores; for in the course of many ages, they have been troubled with the 
same disease to which the whole race of mankind is subject; the nobility often con- 
tending for power, the people for liberty, and the king for absolute dominion. All 
which, however happily tempered by the laws of that kingdom, have been some- 
times violated by each of the three parties, and have more than once occasioned 
civil wars; the last whereof was happily put an end to by this prince’s grandfather, 
in a general composition; and ti.e militia, then settled with common consent, has 
been ever aince kept in the strictest duty. 


58 


oulliver’s travels* 


CRAFTElt YIH. 

The king and queen make a progress to the frontiers— The author attends them— The manner in 
which he leaves the country very particularly related — He returns to England. 

I had always a strong impulse that I should some time recover my liberty, though 
it was impossible to conjecture by what means, or to form any project with the least 
hope of succeeding. The ship in which I sailed was the first ever known to be 
driven within sight of that coast, and the king had given strict orders, “That if at 
any time another appeared it should be taken ashore, and with all its crew and pas- 
sengers, brought in a tumbril to Lorbrulgrud.” I was indeed treated with much 
kindness: I was the favorite of a great king and queen, and the delight of the whole 
court; but it was upon such a footing as ill became the dignity of human kind. I 
could never forget those domestic pledges I had left behind me. I wanted to be 
among people with whom I could converse upon even terms, and walk about the 
streets and fields without being afraid of being trod to death like a frog or a young 
puppy. But my deliverance came sooner than I expected, and in a manner not very 
common; the whole story and circumstances of which I shall faithfully relate. 

I had now been two years in this country; and about the beginning of the third, 
Glumdalc.itoh and I attended the king and queen, in a progress to the south coast 
of the kingdom. I was carried, as usual, in ray traveling box, which, as 1 have al- 
ready described, was a very convenient closet, of twelve feet wide. And I had 
ordered a hammock to be fixed, by silken ropes, from the four corners at the top, to 
break the jolts, when a servant carried me before him on horseback, as I sometimes 
desired; and would often sleep in my hammock while we were upon the road. On 
the roof of my closet, not directly over the middle of the hammock I ordered the 
joiner to cut out a hole of a foot square, to give me air in hot weather, as I slept; 
which hole I shut at pleasure, with a board that drew backward and forward through 
a groove. 

When we came to our journey’s end, the king thought proper to pass a few days 
at a palace he has near Flanflasnic, a city witiiin eighteen English miles of the sea 
side. G.umdalclitch and I were much fatigued ; I had gotten a small cold, but the 
poor girl was so ill as to be confined to her chamber. I longed to see the ocean, 
which must be the only scene of my escape, if ever it should happen. I pretended 
to be worse than I really was, and desired leave to take the fresh air of the sea, with 
a page whom I was very fond of, and who had sometimes been trusted with me. I 
shall never forget with what unwillingness Giumdalclitch consented, nor the strict 
charge she gave the page to be careful of me, bursting at the same time into a flood 
of tears, as if she had some foreboding of what was to happen. The boy took me 
out in my box, about half an hour’s walk from the palace, toward the rocks on the 
sea-shore. I ordered him to set me down, and lifting up one of my sashes, cast 
many a wistful, melancholy look toward the sea. I found myself not very well, and 
told the page that I had a mind to take a nap in my hammock, which I hoped would 
do me good. T ‘ 
cold. I soon 

danger could m. . v 

observed him from my window searching about, and picking up one or two in the 
clefts. Be that as it will, I found myselt suddenly awaked with a violent pull upon 
the ring, which was fastened at the top of my box, for the convenience of carriage. 
I felt my box raised very high in the air, and then borne forward with prodigious 
speed. The first jolt had like to have shaken me out of my hammock, but after- 
ward the motion was easy enough. I called out several times as loud as I could 
raise my voice, but all to no purpose. I looked toward my windows, and could see 
nothing but the clouds and sky. I heard a noise just over my head, like the clap- 
ping of wings, and then began to perceive the woeful condition I was in — that some 
eagle had got the ring of my box in his beak, with an intent to let it fail on a rock, 
like a tortoise in a shell, and then pick out my body and devour it; for the sagacity 
and smell of this bird enables him to discover his quarry at a great distance thougn 
better concealed than I could be within a two-inch board. 

In ft little time I observed the noise and flutter of wings to increase very fast, and 



A Largs Eagle Flies Away with Gulliver .— Page 58. 



















▲ VOYAGE TO BROBDING1UG, 


&> 






my box was tossed up and down like a sign on a windy day. I heard several bang* 
or buffets, as I thought, given to the eagle — for such lam certain it must have been 
that held the ring of my box in his beak — and then, all on a sudden, felt myself 
failing perpendicularly down, for above a minute, but with such incredible swiftness 
that 1 almost lost my breath. My fall was stopped by a terrible squash, that sounded 
louder to my ears than the cataract of Niagara; after which, I was quite in the dark 
for another minute, and then my box began to rise so high that 1 could see light 
from the tops of the windows. I now perceived I was fallen into the sea. My box, 
by the weight of my body, the goods that were in, and the broad plate of iron fixed 
for strength at the four corners of the top and bottom, floated ; bout five feet deep in 
water. I did then, and do now suppose, that the eagle which flew away with my 
box was pursued by two or three others, and forced to let me drop while he defena* 
ed himself against the rest, who hoped to share in the prey. The plates of iron 
fastened at the bottom of the box — for those were the strongest — preserved the bal- 
ance while it fell, and hindered it from being broken on the surface of the water. 
Every joint of it w< s well grooved, and the door did not move on hinges, but up 
and down like a sash, which kept my closet so tight that very little water came in. 
I got with much difficulty out of my hammock, having first ventured to draw back 
the slip-board on the roof already mentioned, contrived on purpose to let in air, for 
want of which I found myself almost stifled. 

How often did I then wish myself with my dear Glumdalclitch, from whom one 
single hour had so far divided me! And I may say witn truth, that in the midst of 
my own misfortunes 1 could not forbear lamenting my poor nurse ; the grief she 
would suffer lor my loss, the displeasure of the queen and the ruin of her fortune. 
Perhaps many travelers have not been under greatir d.fficulties and distress than I 
was at this juncture; expecting every moment to see my box dashed to pieces, or at 
least overset by the first violent blast or rising wave. A breach in one pane of glass 
would have been immediate death; nor could anything have preserved the windows 
but the strong lattice wires on the outside, against accidents in traveling. I saw the 
water ooze in at several crannies, although the leaks were not considerable, and I 
endeavored to stop them as well as I could. I was not able to lift up the roof of my 
closet, which otherwise I certainly shoukl have done and sat on the top of it — where 
I might at least preserve myself some hours longer than by being shut up (as I may 
say) in the hold. Or, if I escaped these dangers for a day or two, whut could I ex- 
pect but a miserable death of cold and hunger? I was four hours under these 
circumstances, expecting — and, indeed, wishing — every moment to be my last. 

I have already told the reader that there were two strong staples fixed upon that 
Bide of my box which had no window, and into which the servant who used to carry 
me on horseback would put a leathern belt and buckle it about his waist. Being in 
this disconsolate state I heard — or at least I thought I heard — some kind of grating 
noise on that side of my box where the staples were fixed, and soon after I began to 
fancy that the box was pulled or towed along the sea ; for I now and then felt a sort 
of tugging, which made the waves rise near the tops of my windows, leaving me al- 
most in the dark. This gave me some faint hopes of relief, although I was not able 
to imagine how it could be brought about. I ventured to unscrew one of my chairs 
— which were always fastened to the floor — and, having made a hard shift to screw it 
down again directly under the slipping-board that I had lately opened, I mounted 
on the chair, and, putting my mouth as near as I could to the hole, 1 called for help 
in a loud voice and in all the languages I understood. I then fastened my handker- 
chief to a stick I usually carried, and, thrusting it up the hole, waved it several 
times in the air, that, if any boat or ship were near, the seamen might conjecture 
some unhappy mortal to be shut up in the box. 

I found no effect from all I could do, but plainly perceived my closet to be moving 
along; and in the space of in hour, or better, that side of the box where the staples 
were, and had no windows, struck against something that was hard. I apprehended 
it to be a rock, and found myself tossed more than ever. I plainly heard a noise 
upon the cover of my closet, like that of a cable, and the grating of it as it passed 
through the ring. I then found myself hoisted up, by degrees, at least three feet 
higher than I was before. Whereupon I again thrust up my stick and handkerchief, 
calling for help till I was almost hoarse. In return to which I heard a great shout 
repeated three times, giving me such transports of joy as are not to be conceived but 
by those who feel them. I now heard a trampling over my head, and somebody call- 


OHJLLIVER'8 TRAVELS. 


lng through the hole with a loud voice, in the English tongue, “ If there be anybody 
below let them speak." I answered, “I was an Englishman, drawn by ill fortune 
into the greatest calam'tv that ever any creature underwent, and begged, by all that 
was moving, to be delivered of the dungeon 1 was in." The voice replied, “I was 
safe, for my box was fastened to their ship; and the carpenter should immediately 
come and saw a hole in the cover large enough to pull me out." I answered, That 
was needless, and would take up too much time; for there was no more to be done 
but to let one of the crew put his finger into the ring and take the box out of the sea 
into the ship, and so into the captain’s cabin." Some of them, upon h aring me talk 
so wildly, thought I was mad — others laughed; for, indeed, it never came into my 
head that I was now got among people of my own stature and strength. The carpen- 
ter came, and in a few minutes sawed a passage of about four feet square, then let 
down a small ladder, upon which I mounted, and thence was taken into the ship in 
a very weak condition. . 

The sailors were all in amazement, and asked me a tlremsand questions which I had 
no inclination to answer. I was equally confounded at the sight of so many pigmies 
— for such I took them to be, after having so long accustomed mine eyes to the 
monstrous objects I had left. But the captain, Mr. Thomas Wilcocks — an honest, 
worthy Shropsnire man — observing I was ready to faint, took me into his cabin, gave 
me a cordial to comfort me, and made me turn in upon his own bed, advising me to 
take a little rest, of which I had great need. Before I went to sleep I gave him to under- 
stand that I hud some valuable furniture in my box, too good to be lost : a fine ham- 
mock, a handsomk field-bed, two chairs, a table and a cabinet ; that mv closet was 
hung on all sides or rather quilted, with silk and cotton ; that if he would let one of 
the crew bring my closet into his cabin, I would open it there before him and show 
him my goods. The captain, hearing me utter these absurdities, concluded that I 
was raving; however (I suppose to pacify me), he promised to give orders as I de- 
sired, and, going upon deck, sent some of his men down into my closet, whence (as I 
afterward found) they drew up all my goods and stripped off the quilting; but the 
chairs, cabinet and bedstead, being screwed to the floor, were much damaged by the 
ignorance of the seamen, who tore them up by force. Then they knocked off some 
of the boards for the use of the ship, and, when they had got all they had a mind for, 
let the hull drop into the sea; which, by reason of m.my breaches made in the bot- 
tom and sides, sunk outright. And, indeed, I was glad not to have been a spectator 
of the havoc they made; because I am confiJent it would have sensibly touched me, 
by bringing former passages into my mind which I would rather have forgot. 

I slept some hours, but perpetually disturbed with dreams of the place I had left, 
and the dangers I had escaped. However, upon waking I found myself much recov- 
ered. It was now about eight o’clock at night, and the captain ordered supper im- 
mediately, thinking I had already fasted too long. He entertained me with great 
kindness — observing me not to look wildly, or talk inconsistently — and, when we 
were left alone, desired I would give him a relation of my travels, and by what acci- 
dent I came to be set adrift in that monstrous wooden chest. He said, That about 
twelve o’clock at noon, as he was looking through his glass, he espied it at a dis- 
tance and thought it was a s iil; which he had a mind to make — being not much out 
of his course— in hopes of buying some biscuit, his own beginning to fall short. That 
upon coming nearer and finding his error, he sent out his long-boat to discover what 
it was; that his men came back in a fright, swearing they had seen a swimming 
house. That he laughed at their folly and went himself in the boat, ordering his 
men to take a strong cable along with them. That the weather being calm, he rowed 
around me several times, observed my windows and wire lattices thatde ended them. 
Thai he discovered two staples upon one side, which was all of boards, without any 
passage for light. He then commanded his men to row up to that side, and, fasten- 
ing a cable to one of the staples, ordered them to tow my chest, as they called it, to- 
ward the ship. When he was there he gave directions to fasten another cable to the 
ring fixed in the cover, and to raise up my chest wi;h puilies — which all the sailors 
were not able to do above two or three feet. He said they saw my stick and hand- 
kerchief thrust out of the hole, and concluded that some unhappy man must be shut 
up in the cavity. I asked, “ Whether he or the crew had seen any prodigious birds 
in the air about the time he first discovered me?" To which he answered, “ That, 
discoursing this matter with the sailors while I was asleep, one of hem said he had 
observed three eagles flying toward the north, but remarked notching of their being 


A VOYAGE TO BROBDINGNAG. 




larger than the usual size” — which, I suppose, must be imputed to the great height 
they were at — and he could not guess the reason of my questiorf. I then asked the 
captain, “ J3ow far he reckoned we might be from land? ” He said, “ By the best 
computation he could make we were at least a hundred leagues.” I assured him he 
must be mistaken be almost half, for I had not left the country whence I came above 
two hours before I dropped into the sea. Whereupon he began to think that my 
brain was disturbed — of which he gave me a hint, and advised me to go to bed in a 
cabin he had provided. I assured him “ I was well refreshed with his good enter- 
tainment and company, and as much in my senses as ever I was in my life.” He 
then grew serious, and desired to ask me freely whether I were not troubled in my 
mind by the consciousness of some enormous crime, for which I was punished, at the 
command of some prince, by exposing me in that chest — as great criminals in other 
countries have been forced to sea in a leaky vessel without provisions ; for although 
he should be sorry to have taken so ill a man into his ship, yet he would engage his 
word to set me safe ashore in the first port where we arrived. He added, “That his 
suspicions were much increased by some very absurd speeches I had delivered at 
first to his sailors, and afterward to himself, in relation to my closet, or chest, as well 
as by my odd looks and behavior while I was at supper.” 

I begged his patience to hear me tell my story, which I faithfully did, from the 
last time I leit England to the moment he first discovered me ; and, as truth always 
forces its way into rational minds, so this honest, worthy gentleman — who had some 
tincture of learning and very good sense — was immediately convinced of my candor 
and veracity. But — further to confirm all I had said — I entreated him to give order 
that my cabinet should be brought, of which I had the key in my pocket; for he had 
already informed me how the seamen disposed of my closet. I opened it in his own 
presence and showed him the small collection of rarities I made in the country from 
which I had been so strangely delivered. There was the comb I had contrived out 
of the stumps of the king’s beard, and another of the same materials but fixed into a 
paring of her majesty’s thumb-nail, which served for the back; there was a collection 
of needles and pins, from a foot to half a yard long; four wasp-stings, like joiners* 
tacks; some combings of the queen’s hair; a gold ring, which one day she made me 
a present of in the most obliging manner — taking it from her little finger and throwr- 
ing it over my head like a collar. I desired the captain would please to accept this 
ring in return for his civilities; which he absolutely refused. I showed him a com 
that I had cut off with my own hand from a maid of honor’s toe; it was about the 
bigness of a Kemish pippin, and grown so hard that, when I returned to England, I 

f ot it hollowed into a cup and set in silver. Lastly, I desired him to see the breeches 
had then on, which were made of a mouse’s skin. 

I could force nothing on him but a footman’s tooth, which I observed him to ex- 
amine with great curiosity and found he had a fancy for it. He received it with 
abundance of thanks — more than such a trifle could deserve. It was drawn by an 
unskillful surgeon, in a mistake, from one of Glumdalclitch’s men, who was afflicted 
with the toothache, but it was as sound as any in his head. I got it cleaned 
and put it into my cabinet. It was about a foot long and four inches in diameter. 

The captain was very well satisfied With this plain relation I had given him, and 
said, “ He hoped, when we returned to England, I would oblige the world by putting 
it on papei and making it public.” My answer was, “Tnat I thought we were over- 
stocked with books of travels ; that nothing could now pass which was not extraord- 
inary ; whe ein I doubted some authors less consulted truth than tiieir own vanity, 
or interest, or the diversion of ignorant readers; that my story could contain little 
beside common events, without those ornamental descriptions of strange plants, 
trees, birds and other animals; or of the barbarous customs and idolatry of savage 
people, with which most writers abound. However, I thanked him for his good 
opinion, and promised to take the matter into my thoughts.” 

“ He said, “ He wondered at one thing very much, whieh was to hear me speak so 
loud ; ” asking me “ whether the king or queen of that country were thick of hear- 
ing?” I told him “ it was what I had been used to for above two years past, and 
that I admired as much at the voices of him and his men, who seemed to me only to 
whisper — and yet I could hear them well enough. But when I spoke in that country 
it was like a man talking in the streets to another looking out from the top of a 
#teepie, unless when I was placed on a table or held in any person’s hand.” I told 
)»im “I had likewise observed another thing; that when I first got into the ihip, and 


C2 


OtJLLIVER^S TRAVELS. 


the sailors stood all about me, I thought they were the most contemptible little 
creatures I had ever beheld.” For, indeed, while I was in that prince’s country I 
could never endure to look in a g.ass after mine eyes had been accustomed to such 
prodigious objects, because the comparisons gave me so despicable a conceit of my- 
self. The captain said, “That while we were at supper he observed me to look at 
everything with a sort of wonder, and that 1 often seemed hardiy able to contain my 
laughter — which h ■ knew not well how to take, but imputed is to some disorder in 
mv brain.” I answered, “ It was very true ; and 1 wondered how I could forbear 
when I s iw his dishes of the size of a silver threepence, a leg of pork hardly a mouth- 
ful, a cup not so big as a nutshell” — and so I went on, describing the rest of his 
household stuff and prov sions after the same manner. For, although the queen had 
ordered a l.ttle equ page of all things necessary lor me while 1 was in her service, 
yet my ideas were wholly taken up with what I saw on every side of me, and I 
winked at my own littleness as people do at their own faults. The captain under- 
stood my railery very well, and merrily replied with an old English proverb, “ That 
he doubted mine eyes were bigger than my belly, for he did not observe my stomach 
so good, although 1 had fasted all day ; ” and, continuing in his mirth, protested “ he 
would have gladly given a hundred pounds to have seen my chest in the eagle’s bill, 
and afterward in it< fall from so great a Height into the sea ; which would certainly 
have been a most astonishing object, worthy to have the description of it transmitted 
to future ages; ” and the comparison of Phaeton was so obvious that he could not 
forbear applying it, although 1 did not much admire the conceit. 

The captain having been at Tonqu n, was, on his return to England, driven north- 
eastward to the latitude of 44 degress, and longitude of 143. But meeting a trade 
wind two days after I came on board him, we sailed southward a long time, and 
coasting New Holland, kept our course west-south-west, and then south-south-west, 
till we doubled the Cape of Good Hope. Our voyage was very prosperous, but I 
shall not trouble the reader with a journal of it. The captain called in at one or two 
ports, and sent in his longboat for provisions and fresh water ; but I never went out 
of the ship till we came into the Downs, which was on the third day of June, 1706, 
about nine months after my escape. I offered to leave my goods in security for 
payment of my freight, buttae captain protested he would not receive one farthing. 
We took a kind leave of each other, and I made him promise he would come 
and see me at my house in Redriff. I hired a horse and guide for five shillings, 
which I borrowed of the captain. 

As I was on the road, observing the littleness of the houses, the trees, the cattle, 
and the people, I began to think myself in Lilliput. I was afraid of trampling on ev- 
ery traveler I met, and often called aloud to them to stand out of the way, so that I 
had liked to have gotten one or two broken heads for my impertinence. 

When I came to my own house, for which I was forced to inquire, one of the serv- 
ants opening the door, I bent down to go in (like a goose under a gate), for fear of 
striking my head. My wife ran out to embrace me, but I stooped lower th in her 
knees, thinking she could otherwise never be able to reach iny mouth. My daugh- 
ter kneeled to ask my blessing, but I could not see her tiil she arose, having been so 
long used to stand with my head and eyes erect to above sixty feet; and then I went 
to take her up with one hand by the waist. I looked down upon the servants and 
one, or two friends who were in the house, as if they had been pigmies, and I a gi- 
ant. I told my wife, “She had been too thrifty, for 1 found she had starved herself 
and her daughter to nothing.” In short, I behaved myself so unaccouutably that 
they were all of the captain’s opinion when he first saw me, and concluded I had 
lost my wits. This I mention as an instance of the great power of habit and preju- 
dice. 

In a little time I and my family and friends came to a right understanding; but 
my wife protested I should never go to sea any more ; although my evil destiny so 
ordered that she had not power to hinder me, as the reader may know here- 
after. In the meantime I here conclude the second paat of my unfortunate voy- 


ages. 


A VOYAGE TO LAPUTA AND OTHEB COUNTRIES. 


63 


PART III. 


A VOYAGE TO 


LAPUTA, BALNIBARBI, LUGGNAGG, GLUBBDUBDPJB AND JAPAN. 


CHAPTER L 

The author sets out on his third voyage— Is taken by pirates— The malice of a Dutchman— His ar- 
rival at an island — He is received in Laputa. 

I had not been at home above ten days when Captain William Robinson, a Corn- 
ishman, commander of the Hopewell, a stout ship of three hundred tons, came to my 
house. I had formerly been surgeon of another ship, where he was master and 
fourth part owner, in a voyage to the Levant. He had always treated me more like 
a brother than an inferior officer ; *and hearing of my arrival, made me a visit, as I 
apprehended only out of friendship, for nothing passed more than w'hat is usual af- 
ter long absences. But repeating his visits often, expressing his joy to find me in 
,/ood health, asking, “ Whether I were now settled for life,” adding “ that he in- 
tended a voyage to the East Indies in two months ; ” at last he plainly invited me, 
though with some apologies, to be surgeon of the ship ; that I should have another 
mirgeon under me, besides our two mates; that my salary should be double to the 
usual pay; and that having experienced my knowledge in sea affairs to be at least 
equal to his, he would enter into any engagement to follow my advice, as much as if 
I had shared in the command.” 

He said so many other obliging things, and I knew him to be so honest a man, 
that I could not reject his proposal; the thirst I had of seeing the world, notwith- 
standing my past misfortunes, continuing as violent as ever. The only difficulty 
that remained was to persuade my wife, whose consent, however, I at last obtained, 
by the prospect of advantage she proposed to her children. 

We set out the 5th day of August, 1706, and arrived at Fort St. George the 11th of 
April, 1707. We stayed there three weeks to refresh our crew, many of whom were 
sick. From thence we went to Tonquin, where the captain resolved to continue 
some time, because many of the goods he intended to buy were not ready, nor could 
he expect to be dispatched in several months. Therefore, in hopes to defray some 
of the charges he must be at, he bought a sloop, loaded it with several sorts ol‘ 
goods, wherewith the Tonquinese usually trade in the neighboring islands, and put- 
ting fourteen men on board, whereof three were of the country, he appointed me 
master of the sloop, and gave me power to traffic, while he transacted his affairs at 
Tonquin. 

We had not sailed above three days, when a great storm arising, we were driven 
five days to the north-north-east; and then to the east; after which we had fair 
weather, but still with a pretty strong gale from the west. Upon the tenth day we 


64 


GULLIVER’S TRAVELS. 


were chased by two pirates, who soon overtook us; for my sloop was so deeply laden 
that she sailed very slow; neither were we in a condition to defend ourselves. 

We were boarded about the same time by both the pirates, who entered furiously 
at the head of their men; but finding us all prostrate upon our faces (for so I gave 
order), they pinioned us with strong ropes, and setting a guard upon us, went to 
search the sloop. 

I observed among them a Dutchman, who seemed to be of some authority, though 
he was not commander of either ship. He knew us by our countenances to be Eng- 
lishmen, and jabbering to us in our own language, swore we should be tied back to 
back and thrown into the sea. I spoke Dutch tolerably well ; I told him who we 
were, and begged him, in consideration of our being Christians and Protestants, of 
neighboring countries in strict alliance, that he would move the captains to take 
come pity on us. This inflamed his rage; he repeated the threatenings, and turning 
to his companions, spoke with great vehemence in the Japenese language, as I sup- 
pose, often using the word Christianos. 

The largest of the two pirate ships was commanded by a Japanese captain, who 
spoke a little Dutch, but very imperfectly. He came up to me, and after several 
questions, which I answered in great humility, he said “ we should not die.” I 
made the captain a very low bow, add then, turning to the Dutchman, said, “ I was 
sorry to find more mercy in a heathob than in a brother Christian.” But I had soon 
reason to repent those foolish words, for that malicious reprobate, having often en- 
deavored in vain to persuade both the captains that I might be thrown into the sea 
(which they would not yield to, after the promise made me that I should not die), 
however prevailed so far as to have a punisment inflicted on me worse, in all human 
appearance, than death itself. My men were sent by an equal division into both the 
pirate ships, and my sloop new manned. As to myself, it was determined that I 
should be set adrift in a small canoe, with paddles and a sail, and four days’ provis- 
ions; which last, the Japanese captain was so kind as to double out of his own 
stores, and would permit no man to search me. I got down into the canoe, while 
the Dutchman, standing upon the deck, loaded me with all the curses and injurious 
terms his language could afford. 

About an hour before we saw the pirates, I had taken an observation, and found 
we were in the latitude of 46 N. and longitude of 183. When I was at some distance 
from the pirates, I discovered, by my pocket-glass, several islands to the south-east. 

I set up my sail, the wind being fair, with a design to reach the nearest of those 
islands, which I made a shift to do in about three hours. It was all rocky ; how- 
ever, I got many birds’ eggs; and striking fire, I kindled some heath and dry sea- 
weed, by which I roasted my eggs. I ate no other supper, being resolved to spare 
my provisions as much as I could. I passed the night under the shelter of a rock, 
strewing some heath under me, and slept pretty well. 

The next day I sailed to another island, and thence to a third and fourth, some- 
times using my sail, sometimes my paddles. But not to trouble the reader with 
a particular account of my distresses, let it suffice that on the fifth day 1 ar- 
rived at the last island in my sight, which lay south-south-east to the former. 

This island was at a greater distance than I expected, and I did not reach it in 
less than live hours. I encompassed it almost around before I could find a conven- 
ient place to land in', which was a small creek about three times the wideness of my 
canoe. I founk the island to be all rocky, only a little intermingled with tufts of 
grass and sweet-smelling herbs. I took out my small provisions, and after having 
refreshed myself, I secured the remainder in a cave, whereof there were great num- 
bers ; I gathered plenty of eggs upon the rocks, and got a quantity of dry sea-weed and 
parched grass, which I designed to kindle the next day and roast my eggs as well as 
I could, for I had about me my flint, steel, watch and burning-glass." I lay all night 
in the cave where I had lodged my provisions. My bed was the same dry grass and 
cea-weed which I intended for fuel. I slept very little, for the disquiet of my mind 1 
prevailed over my weariness and kept me awake. I considered how impossible it 
was to preserve my life in so desolate a place, and how miserable my end must be : 
yet found myself so listless and desponding that I had not the heart to rise ; and be- 
fore I could get spirits enough to creep out of my cage the day was far advanced. I 
walked awhile among the rocks ; the sky was perfectly clear, and the sun so hot 
that I was forced to turn my face from it: when all on a sudden it became obscure, as 
I thought, in a manner very different from what happens by the interposition of a 


A VOYAGE YO LAPUTA AND OTHER COUNTRIES* 


65 


cloud. I turned back and perceived a vast opaque body between me and the sun 
moving forward toward the island; it seemed to be about two miles high, and hid 
the sun six or seven minutes; but I did not observe the air to be much colder, or 
the sky more darkened, than if I had stood under the shade of a mountain. As it 
approached nearer over the place where I Avas, it appeared to be a firm substance, 
the bottom fiat, smooth, and shining very bright from the reflection of the sea below. 
I stood upon a height of about two hundred yards from the shore, and saw this vast 
body descending almost to a parallel with me, at less than an English mile distance. 
I took out my pocket perspective, and could plainly discover numbers of people 
moving up and down the sides of it, which appeared to be sloping; but what those 
people were doing I was not able to distinguish. 

The natural love of life gave me some inward motion of joy, and I was ready to 
entertain a hope that this adventure might, some way or other, help to deliver me 
from the desolate place and condition I was in. But at the same time the reader can 
hardly conceive my astonishment, to behold an island in the air, inhabited by men, 
who were able (as it should seem) to rise or sink, or put into progressive motion, as 
they pleased. But not being at the same time in a disposition to philosophize upon this 
phenomenon, I rather chose to observe what course the island would take, because 
it seemed for a while to stand still. Yet soou after it advanced nearer, and I could 
see the sides of it encompassed with several gradations of galleries, and stairs, at 
certain intervals, to descend from one to the other. In the lowest gallery I beheld 
some people fishing with long angling-rods, and others looking on. I waved my cap 
(for my hat was long since worn out) and my handkerchief toward the island ; and 
upon its nearer approach, I called and shouted with the utmost strength of my voice; 

I and then looking circumspectly, I beheld a crowd gathered to that side which was 
most to my view. I found, by their pointing toward me and to each other that they 
plainly discovered me, although they made no retuni to my shouting. But I could 
see four or five men running in great haste up the stairs, to the top of the island, 

I who then disappeared. I happened rightly to conjecture that these were sent for 
orders, to some person in authority, upon this occasion. 

The number of people increased, and in less than half an hour the island was moved 
and raised in such a manner, that the lowest gallery appeared in a parallel of less 
than a hundred yards’ distance from the height where I stood. I then put myself in 
the most supplicating posture, and spoke in the humblest accent, but received no 
answer. Those who stood nearest over against me seemed to be persons of distinc- 
tion, as I supposed by their habits. They conferred earnestly witn each other, look- 
ing often upon me. At length one of them called out in a clear, polite, smooth dia- 
lect, not unlike in sound to the Italian ; and therefore I returned an answer in that 
language, hoping at least that the cadence might be more agreeable to his ears. Al- 
though neither of us understood the other, yet my meaning was easily known, for 
the people saw the distress I was in. 

They mane signs for me to come down from the rock and go toward the shore, 
which I accordingly did ; and the flying island being raised to a convenient height, 
the verge directly over me, a chain was let « own from the lowest gallery, with a 
seat fastened to the bottom, to which I fixed myself, and was drawn up by pulleys. 


CHAPTER II. 

i The humors and dispositions of the Laputians described — An account of their learning — Of the 
, king and his court— The author’s reception there— The inhabitants subject to fear and dis- 
quietudes— An account of the women. 

At my alighting, I was surrounded by a crowd of people, but those who stood 
nearest seemed to be of better quality. They beheld me with all the marks and cir- 
cumstances of wonder ; neither, indeed, was I much in their debt, having never till 
then seen a race of mortals so singular in their shapes, habits and countenances. 
Their heads were all reclined, either to the right or the leit; one of their eyes turned 
' inward, and the other directly up to the zenith. Their outward garments were 
adorned with the figures of suns, moons and stars, interwoven with those of fiddles, 
flutes, harps, trumpets, guitars, harpsichords, and many other instruments of music 

7 ft 


GULLIVER'S TRAVELS. 


£>3 

unknown to us in Europe. I observed, here and there, many in the habits of serv- 
ants, with blown bladders, fastened like a flail to the end of a stick, which they car- 
ried in their hands. * In each bladder was a small quantity of dried peas, or little 
pebbles, as I was afterward informed. With these bladders they now and then 
flapped the mouths and ears of those who stood near them, of which practice I could 
not then conceive the meaning. It seems the minds of these people are so taken 
up with intense speculations, that they can neither speak nor attend to the dis- 
courses of others, without being roused by some external action upon the organs of 
speech or hearing: for which reason, those persons who are able to afford it always 
keep a flapper — the original is climenole — in their family, as one of their domestics; 
nor ever walk abroad or make visits without him. And the business of this officer 
is, when two, three, or more persons are in company, gently to strike with his blad- 
der the mouth of him who is to speak, and the right ear of him or them to whom 
tne speaker addresses himself. This flapper is likewise employed diligently to at- 
tend his master in his walks, and upon occasion to give him a soft flap upon his 
eyes, because he is always so wrapped up in cogitation that he is in manifest 
danger of falling down every precipice, and bouncing his head against every post; 
and in the streets, of jostling others, or being jostled himself into the kennel. 

It is necessary to give the reader this information, without which he would be a 
the same loss with me to understand the proceedings of these people, as they con- 
ducted me up the stairs, to the top of the island, and from thence to the royal palace. 
While we were ascending, they forgot several times what they were about, and left 
me to myself, till their memories were again roused by their flappers; for they ap- 
peared altogether unmoved by the sight of my foreign habit and countenance, and 
by the shouts of the vulgar, whose thoughts and minds were more disengaged. 

At last we entered the palace, and proceeded to the chamber of presence, where I 
saw the king seated on his throne, attended on each side by persons of prime quality. 
Before the throne was a large table filled with globes and'spheres, and mathematical 
instruments of all kinds. His majesty took not the least notice of us, although our 
entrance was not without sufficient noise, by the concourse of all persons belonging 
to the court. But he was then deep in a problem, and we attended at least an hour 
before he could solve H. There stood by him, on each side, young pages with flaps 
in their hands, and when they saw he was at leisure one of them gently struck his 
mouth and the other his right ear; at which he started like one awakened on a sud- 
den, and looking toward me and the company I was in, recollected the occasion 
of our coming, whereof he had been informed before. He spoke some words, 
whereupon immediately a young man with a flap came up to my side and’ 
flapped me gently on the right ear; but I made signs, as well as I could 
that I had no occasion for such an instrument; which, as I afterward found 
gave his majesty and the whole court a very mean opinion of my understanding! 
The king, as far as I could conjecture, asked me several questions, and I addressed 
myself to him in all the languages I had. When it was found I cou;d .neither un- 
derstand nor be understood, I was conducted by his order to an apartment in his 
palace (this prince being distinguished above all his predecessors for his hospitality 
to strangei*^ where two servants were appointed to attend me. My dinner was 
brought, and four persons of quality, whom I remember to have seen very near the 
king r s person, did me the honor to dine with me. We had two courses, of three 
dishes each. In the first course there was a shoulder of mutton cut into an equilater- 
al triangle, a piece of beef into a rhomboid, and a pudding into a cycloid. The sec- 
ond course was two ducks trussed up in the form of fiddles; sausages and puddings 
resembling flutes and hautboys, and a breast of veal in the shape of a harp 
The servants cut our bread into cones, cylinders, parallelograms, and other mathe! 
matical figures. 

While we were at dinner, I made bold to ask the names of several things in their 
language, and those noble persons, by the assistance of their flappers, delighted to 
give me answers, hoping to raise my admiration of their great abilities, if I could be 
brought to converse with them. I was soon able to call for bread and drink or 
whatever else I wanted. ’ 

After dinner my company withdrew, and a person was sent by the king’s order 
attended by a flapper. He brought with him pens, ink and paper, and three or four 
books, giving me to understand, by signs, that he was sent to teach me the language 
We sat together four hours, in which time I wrote down a great number of words in 


A VOYAGE TO LAPUTA AND OTHER COUNTRIES. 


67 


columns, with the translations over against them; I likewise made a shift to leara 
several short sentences, for my tutor would order some of my servants to fetch some- 
thing, to turn about, to make a bow, to sit, or to staud, or walk, and the like. Then 
I took down the sentence in writing. He showed me also, in one of the books, the 
figures of the sun, moon and stars, the zodiac, the tropics, and polar circles, together 
with the denominations of many planes and solids. He gave me the names and de- 
scriptions of all their musical instruments, and the general terms of art in playing 
on each of them. After he had left me I placed all my words, with their interpreta- 
tions, in alphabetical order. And thus, in a few days, by the help of a very faithful 
memory, I got some insight into their language. 

The word, which I interpret the flying or floating island, is in the original Laputa , 
whereof I could never learn the true etymology. Lap, in the old obsolete language, 
signifies high; and untali, a governor; from which, they say, by corruption, was de- 
rived Laputa, from Lapuntah. But I do not approve of this derivation, which seems 
to be a little strained. I venture to offer to the learned men among them a conjec- 
ture of my own, that Luputa was quasi lap outed; lap signifying, properly, the danc- 
ing of the sunbeams in the sea, and outed, a wing, which, however, I shall not ob- 
trude, but submit to the judicious reader. 

Those to whom the king had entrusted me, observing how ill clad I was, ordered 
a tailor to come next morning and take my measure for a suit of clothes. This 
operator did Ills office after a different manner from those of his trade in Europe. 
He first took my altitude by a quadrant, and then, with rule and compasses, de- 
scribed the dimensions and outlines of my whole body, all which he entered upon 
paper; and in six days brought my clothes very ill made, and quite out of shape, by 
happening to make a mistake of a figure in the calculation. But my comfort was, 
that I observed such accidents very frequent, and little regarded. 

IDuring my confinement for want of . clothes, and by an indisposition that held me 
some days longer, I much enlarged my dictionary; and when I next went to court 
was able to understand many things the king spoke, and return him some kind of 
answers. His majesty had given orders that the island should move north-east and 
by east to the vertical point over Lagado, the metropolis of the whole kingdom be- 
low, upon the firm earth. It was about ninety leagues distant, and our voyage 
lasted four days and a half. I was not in the least sensible of the progressive motion 
made in the air by the island. On the second morning, about eleven o’clock, the 
king himself in person, attended by his nobility, courtiers and officers, having pre- 
pared all their musical instrument, played on them for three hours, without inter- 
mission, so that I was quite stunned by the noise; neither could I possibly guess 
the meaning, till my tutor informed me. He said, “That the people of their island 
had their ears adapted to hear the music of the spheres, which always played at cer- 
tain periods, and the court was now prepared to bear their part, in whatever instru- 
ments they most excelled. 

In our journey toward Lagado, the capial city, his majesty ordered that the island 
should stop over certain towns and villages, from whence he might receive the 
petitions of his subjects. And to this purpose, several packthreads were let 
down, with small weights at the bottom. On these packthreads the people strung 
their petitions, which mounted up directly, like the scraps of paper fastened by 
school-boys at the end of the string that holds the kite. Sometimes we received 
wine and victuals from below, which were drawn up by pulleys. 

The knowledge I had in mathematics gave me great assistance in acquiring their 

f hraseology, which depended much upon that science, and music; and in the latter 
was not unskilled. Their ideas are perpetually conversant in liues and figures. If 
they would, for example, praise the beauty of a woman, or any other animal, they 
describe it by rhombs, circles, parallelograms, elipses, and other geometrical terms, 
or by words of art drawn from music, needless hex*e to repeat. I observed in the 
king’s kitchen all sorts of mathematical and musical instruments, after the figures 
of which they cut up the joints that were served at his majesty’s table. 

Their houses are very ill built— the walls bevel, without one right angle in any 
apartment; and this defect arises from the contempt they bear to practical geome- 
try which they despise as vulgar and mechanical, those instructions they give being 
too’ refined for the intellects of their workmen, which occasion perpetual mistakes. 
And although they are dexterous enough upon a piece of paper, in the management 
of the rule, the pencil and the divider, yet in the common actions and behavior of 


GULLIVER’S TRAVELS* 


68 

life I have not seen a more clumsy, awkward and unhandy people, nor so slow and 
perplexed in their conceptions upon all other subjects except those of mathematics 
and music. They are very bad reasoners, and vehemently given to opposition, un- 
Hess when they happen to be of the right opinion, which is seldom their case. Imag- 
ination, fancy and invention they are wholly strangers to, nor have any words in 
their language by which those ideas can be expressed; the whole compass of then 
thoughts and mind being shut up in the two forementioned sciences. 

Most of them, and especially those who deal in the astronomical part, have great 
faith in judicial astrology, although they are ashamed to own it publicly. But what 
I chiefly admired, and thought altogether unaccountable, was the strong disposition 
I observed in them toward news and politics, perpetually inquiring into public af- 
fairs, giving their judgments in matters of state, and passionately disputing every 
inch of a party opinion. X have, indeed, observed the same disposition among most 
of the mathematicians I have known in Europe, although I could never discover the 
least analogy between the two sciences, unless those people suppose that because 
the smallest circle has as many degrees as the largest, therefore the regulation and 
management of the world require no more abilities than the handling and turning 
of a globe; but I rather take this quality to spring from a very common infirmity of 
human nature, inclining us to be most curious and conceited in matters where we 
have least concern, and for which we are least adapted by study or nature. 

These people are under continual disquietudes, never enjoying a minute’s peace 
of mind; and their disturbances proceed from causes which very little affect the 
rest of mortals. Their apprehensions arise from several changes they dread in the 
celestial bodies; for instance, that the earth, by the continual approaches of the sun 
toward it, must, in course of time, be absorbed, or swallowed up ; that the face of 
the sun will, by degrees, be encrusted with its own effluvia, and give no more light 
to the world ; that the earth very narrowly escaped a brush from the tail of the last 
comet, which would have infallibly reduced it to ashes; and that the next, which 
they have calculated for one and thirty years hence, will probably destroy us. For 
if in its perihelion it should approach within a certain degree of the sun — as by 
their calculations they have reason to dread — it will receive a degree of heat ten 
thousand times more intense than that of red-hot, glowing iron ; and, in its absence 
from the sun, carrying a blazing tail ten hundred thousand and fourteen miles long; 
through which, if the earth should pass at the distance of one hundred thousand 
miles from the nucleus, or main body of the comet, it must in its passage be set on 
fire and reduced to ashes; that the sun, daily spending its rays without any nutriment 
to supply them, will at last be wholly consumed and annihilated; which must be 
attended with the destruction of this earth, and of all the planets that receive their 
light from it. 

They are so perpetually alarmed with the apprehension of these and the like im- 
pending dangers, that they can neitheir sleep quietly in their beds, nor have any 
relish for the common pleasures and amusements of life. When they meet an ac- 
quaintance in the morning, the first question is about the sun’s health — how he 
looked at his setting and rising, and what hopes they have to avoid the stroke of the 
approaching comet. This conversation they are apt to run into with the same tem- 
per that boys discover in delighting to hear terrible stories of spirits and hobgoblins, 
which they greedily listen to, and dare not go to bed for fear. 

The women of the island have abundance of vivacity; they contemn their hus- 
bands, and are exceedingly fond of strangers, whereof there is always a considerable 
number from the continent below, attending at court, either upon affairs of the sev- 
eral towns and corporations, or their own particular occasions, but are much despised 
because they want the same endowments. 

In about a month’s time I had made a tolerable proficiency in their language, and 
was able to answer most of the king’s questions, when I had the honor to attend 
him. His majesty discovered not the least curiosity *to inquire into the laws, gov- 
ernment, history* religion, or manners of the countries where I had been, but con- 
fined his questions to the state of mathematics, and received the account I gave him 
with great contempt and indifference, though often roused by his flapper on each, 
sid$. 


A VOYAGE TO LAPUTA AND OTHER COUNTRIES. 


& 


CHAPTER III. 


A phenomenon solved by modern philosophy and astronomy— The Laputians’ great improvements 
in the latter— The king’s method of suppressing insurrections. 


I desired leave of this prince to see the curiosities 0 / the island, which he was gra- 
ciously pleased to grant, and ordered my tutor to attend me. I chiefly wanted to 
know to what cause in art or in nature it owed its several motions — whereof I will 
now gi*e a philosophical account to the reader. 

The flying or floating island is exactly circular ; its diameter 7,837 yards, or about 
four and one half miles and consequently contains ten thousand acres. It is three hun- 
dred yards thick. The bottom, or under surface, which appears to those who view it 
below, is one even, regular plate of adamant, shooting up to the height of about two 
hundred yards. Above it lie the several minerals in their usual order, and over all is a 
coat of rich mold ten or twelve feet deep. The declivity of the upper surface, from 
the circumference to the center, is the natural cause why all the dews and rains 
which fall upon the island are conveyed in small rivulets toward the middle, where 
they are emptied into four larere basins, each of about half a mile in circuit and two 
hundred yards’ distance from the center. From these basins the water is continually 
exhaled by the sun in the day-time, which effectually prevents their overflowing. 
Besides, as it is in the power of the monarch to raise the island above the region of 
clouds and vapors, he can prevent the falling of dews and rain whenever he pleases. 
For the highest clouds cannot rise above two miles, as naturalists agree — at least 
they were never known to do so in that country. 

At the center of the island there is a chasm about fifty yards in diameter, whence 
the astronomers descend into a large dome, which is therefore called flandona gagnole, 
or the astronomers’ cave, situated at the depth of a hundred yards beneath the upper 
surface of the adamant. In this cave are twenty lamps continually burning, which, 
from the reflection of the adamant, cast a strong light into every part. The place is 
stored with a great variety of sextants, quadrants, telescopes, astrolabes ana other 
astronomical instruments. But the greatest curiosity — upon which the fate of the 
island depends — is a loadstone of prodigious size, in shape resembling a weaver’s 
shuttle. It is in length six yards, and, in the thickest part, at least three yards over. 
This magnet is sustained by a very strong axle of adamant passing through its mid- 
dle, upon which it plays, and is poised so exactly that the weakest hand can turn it. 
It is hooped around with a hollow cylinder of adamant, four feet deep, as many 
thick and twelve yards in diameter, placed horizontally and supported by eight 
adamantine feet, each six yards high. In the middle of the concave side there is a 
groove twelve inches deep, in which the extremities of the axle are lodged and 
turned around as there is occasion. 

The stone cannot be removed from its place by any force, because the hoop and 
its feet are one continued piece with that body of adamant which constitutes the 
bottom of the island. 

By means of this loadstone the island is made to rise and fall and move from one 
place to another. For, with respect to that part of the earth over which the mon- 
arch presides, the stone is endued at one of its sides with an attractive power and at 
the other with a repulsive. Upon placing the magnet erect, with its attracting end 
toward the earth, the island descends; but when the repelling extremity points 
downward the island mounts directly upward. When the position of the stone is 
oblique the motion of the island is so too ; for in this magnet the forces always act 
in lines parallel to its direction. 

By this oblique motion the island is conveyed to different parts of the monarch’s 
dominions. To explain the manner of its progress let A B represent a line drawn 
across the dominions of Balnibarbi ; let the line c d represent the loadstone, of which 
let d be the repelling end and c the attracting end, the island being over C; let the 


70 


GULLIVER’S TRAVELS. 


stone be placed in position c d, with its repelling end downward; then the island 
will be driven upward obliquely toward D. When it is arrived at D let the stone be 

turned upon its axle, till its attracting end 
paints toward E, and then the iiriand will be 
carried obliquely toward E; where, if the stone 
be again turned upon its axle till it stands in the 
position E F, with its repelling point downward, 
the island will rise obliquely toward F, where, 
by directing the attraoting end toward G, th« 
island may be carried to G, and from G to Hby 
turning the stone so as to make its repelling ax- 
treraity point directly downward. And thusr, 
by changing the situation of the stone, as often 
as there is occasion, the island is made to rise 
and fall by turns in an oblique direction, and 
bv those alternate risings and fallings (the 
obliquity being not considerable) is conveyed 
from one part of the dominions to the other. 

But it must be observed that this island can- 
not move beyond the extent of the dominions 
below, nor can it rise above the height of four 
miles. For which the astronomers (who have 
written large systems concerning the stone) 
assign the following reason : that the magnetic 
virtue does not extend beyond the distance of 
four miles, and that the mineral — which acts 
upon the stone in the bowels of the earth, and 
in the sea about six leagues distant from the shore — is not diffused through the 
whole globe, but terminates with the limits of the king’s dominions; and it was easy, 
from the great advantage of such a superior situation, for a prince to bring under his 
obedience whatever country lay within the attraction of that magnet. 

When the stone is put parallel to the plane of the horizon the island stands still; 
for in that case the extremities of it, being at equal distances from the earth, act with 
equal force, the one in drawing downward and the other in pushing upward, aud 
consequently no motion can ensue. 

This loadstone is under the care of certain astronomers, who, from time to time, 
give it such positions as the monarch directs. They spend the greatest part of their 
lives in observing the celestial bodies ; which they do by the assistance of glasses far 
excelling ours in goodness. For, although their largest telescopes do not exceed 
three feet, they magnify much more than those of a hundred with us, and show the 
stars with greater clearness. This advantage has enabled them to extend their dis- 
coveries much farther than our astronomers in Europe ; for they have made a cat- 
alogue of ten thousand fixed stars, whereas the largest of ours does not contain above 
one third part of that number. They have likewise discovered two lesser stars, or 
satellites, which revolve about Mars ; whereof the innermost is distant from the cen- 
ter of the primary planet exactly three of his diameters and the outermost five ; the 
former revolves in the space of ten hours and the latter in twenty-one and a half ; so 
that the squares of their periodical times are very nearly in the same proportion 
with the cubes of their distance from the center of Mars — which evidently shows 
them to be governed by the same law of gravitation that influences the other heav- 
enly bodies. 

'l'hey have observed ninety-three different comets, and settled their periods with 
great exactness. If this be true (and they affirm it with great confidence), it is much 
to be wished that their observations were made public, whereby the theory of com- 
ets— which at present is very lame and defective — might be brought to the same 
perfection as other parts of astronomy. 

The king would be the most absolute prince in the universe if he could but prevail 
on his ministry to join with him ; but these, having their estates below on the con- 
tinent — and considering that the office ol a favorite has a very uncertain tenure— 
would never consent to the enslaving of their country. 

If any town should engage in rebellion or mutiny, 'fall into violent factions or re- 
fuse to pay the usual tribute, he king has two methods of reducing them to obedj- 



A* VOYAGE TO LAPUTA AND OTHER COUNTRIES. 


71 


ence. The first and the mildest course is by keeping the island hovering over such 
a town and the lands about it, whereby he can deprive them of the benefit of the 
sun and the rain, and consequently afflict the inhabitants with dearth and diseases ; 
and, if the crime deserve it, they are at the same time pelted from above with great 
stones, against which they have no defense but by creeping into cellars or caves 
while the roofs of their houses are beaten to pieces. But if they still continue 
obstinate, or offer to raise insurrections, he proceeds to the last remedy, by letting 
the island drop directly upon their heads, which makes an universal destruction 
both of houses and men. However, this is an extremity to which the prince is sel- 
dom driven — neither, indeed, is he willing to put it into execution; nor dare liis 
ministers advise him to an action which, as it would render them odious to the peo- 
ple, so it would be a great damage to their own estates, which lie all below ; for the 
island is the king’s demesne. 

But there is still, indeed, a more weighty reason why the kings of this country 
have been always averse from executing so terrible an action, unless upon the ut- 
most necessity. For, if the town intended to be destroyed should have in it any tall 
rocks, as it generally falls out in the larger cities — a situation probably chosen at 
first with a view to prevent such a catastrophe — or if it abound in high spires or pil- 
lars of stone, a sudden fall might endanger the bottom or under surface or the island, 
which — although it consists, as I have said, of one entire adamant two hundred 
yards thick — might happen to crack by too great a shock, or burst by approaching 
too near the fires from the houses below; as the backs, both of iron and stone, will 
often do in our chimneys. Of all this the people are well apprised, and understand 
how far to carry their obstinacy where their liberty or property is concerned. And 
the king, when he is highest provoked and most determined to press a city to rub- 
bish, orders the island to descend with great gentleness, out of a pretense of tender- 
ness to his people, but indeed for fear of breaking the adamantine bottom; in which 
case it is the opinion of all their philosophers that the loadstone could no longer hold 
it up, and the whole mass would fall to the ground. 

By a fundamental law of this realm neither the king nor the queen, nor either of 
his two eldest sons, are permitted to leave the island. 


CHAPTER IV. 


The author leaves Laputa ; is conveyed to Balnibarbi : arrives at the metropolis— A description of 
the metropolis and the country adjoining— The author hospitably received by a great lord— 
His conversation with that lord. 


Although I cannot say that I was ill-treated in this island, yet I must confess t 
thought myself too much neglected— not without some degree of contempt ; for 
neither prince nor people appeared to be curious in any part of knowledge except 
mathematics and music, wherein I was far their inferior and, upon that account, very 
little regarded. 

On the other side, after having seen all the curiosities of the island I was very 
desirous to leave it ; being heartily weary of those people. They were, indeed, ex- 
cellent in two sciences for which I have great esteem, and wherein I am not unversed ; 
but, at the same time, so abstracted and involved in speculation, that I never met 
with such disagreeable companions. I conversed only with women, tradesmen, flap- 
pers and court pages during two months of ray abode there — by which, at last, I 
rendered myself extremely contemptible ; yet these were the only people from whom 
I could ever receive a reasonable answer. . 

I had obtained, by hard study, a good degree of knowledge in their language. I 
was weary of being confined to an island where I received so little countenance, and 
resolved to leave it with the first opportunity. 

There was a great lord at court, nearly related to the king, and for that reason 
alone used with respect. He was universally reckoned the most ignorant and stupid 
nerson amon^ them. He had performed many eminent services for the crown, had 
ereat natural and acquired parts— adorned with integrity and honor— but so ill an 
ear for music that his detractors reported “ he had been often known to beat time in 
the wrong place neither could his tutors, without extreme difficulty, teach him to 


72 


GULLIVER’S TRAVELS* 


demonstrate the most easy proposition in the mathematics. He was pleased U> show 
me many marks of favor; often did me the honor of a visit; desired to be informed 
in the atiairs of Europe, the laws and customs, the manner and learning of the sev- 
eral countries where I had traveled. He listened to me with great attention and 
made very wise observations on all I spoke. He had two flappers attending him, 
for state, but never made use of them — except at court and in visits of ceremony 
and would always command them to withdraw when we were alone together. 

I entreated with this illustrious person to intercede in my behalf with his majesty 
for leave to depart, which he accordimgly did — as he was pleased to tell me— -with 
regret; for, indeed, he had made me several offers — very advantageous — which, how- 
ever, I refused with expressions of the highest acknowledgment. 

On the 16th. of February T took leave of his majesty and the court. The king 
made me a present to the value of about two hundred pounds English, and my pro- 
tector, his kinsman, as much more, together with a letter of recommendation to a 
friend of his in Legado, the metropolis; the island being then hovering over a 
mountain about two miles from it I was let down from the lowest gallery, in the 
same manner as I had been taken up. t ... 

The continent, as far as it is subject to the monarch of the flying island, passes 
under the general name of Balnibarbi; and the metropolis, as I said before, is called 
Lagado. 1 felt some little satisfaction in finding myself on firm ground. I walked 
to the city without any concern, being clad like one of the natives and sufficiently 
instructed to converse with them. I soon found out the person’s house to whom I 
was recommended, presented my letter from his friend the grandee in the island and 
was received with much kindness. This great lord, whose name was Munodi, ordered 
me an apartment in his own house, where I continued during my stay and was enter- 
tained in a most hospitable manner. 

The next morning after my arrival he took me in his chariot to see the town, 
which is about half the bigness of London ; but the houses very strangely built, 
and most of them out of repair. The people in the streets walked fast, looked wild, 
their eyes fixed, and were generally in rags. We passed through one of the town 
gates, and went about three miles into the country, where I saw many laborers work- 
ing with several sorts of tools in the ground, but was not able to conjecture what 
they were about ; neither did I observe any expectation either of corn or grass, al- 
though the soil appeared to be excellent. I could not forbear admiring at these odd 
appearances, both in town and country; and I made bold to desire my conductor 
that he would be pleased to explain to me what could be meant by so many busy 
heads, hands and faces, both in the streets and in the fields, because I did not dis- 
cover any good effect they produced ; but, on the contrary, I never knew a soil so 
unhappily cultivated, houses so ill-contrived and so ruinous, or a people whose 
countenances and habits expressed so much misery and want. 

This lord Munodi was a person of the first rank, and had been some years gov- 
ernor of Lagado, but by a cabal of ministers was discharged for insufficiency. How- 
ever, the king treated him with tenderness, as a well-meaning man, but of a low, con- 
temptible understanding. 

When I gave that free censure of the country and its inhabitants, he made no fur- 
ther answer than by telling me “ that I had not been long enough among them to 
form a judgment; and that the different nations of the world had different cus- 
toms ; ” with other common topics to the same purpose. But when we returned to 
his palace he asked me “ how I liked the building, what absurdities I observed, and 
what quarrel I had with the dress or looks of his domestics.” This he might safely 
do, because everything about him was magnificent, regular and polite. I answered 
“ that his excellency’s prudence, quality and fortune had exempted him from those 
defects which folly and beggary had produced in* others.” He said “if I would go 
with him to his country-house, about twenty miles distant, where his estate lay, 
there would be more leisure for this kind of conversation.” I told his excel- 
lency that I was entirely at his disposal; ” and accordingly we set out the next 
morning. 

During our journey he made me observe the several methods used by farmers in 
managing their lands, which to me were wholly unaccountable ; for, except in some 
very few places, I could not discover one ear of corn, or blade of grass. But in 
three hours’ traveling the scene was wholly altered ; we came into a most beautiful 
country ; farmers’ houses, at small distances, neatly built ; the fields enclosed, con. 


A VOYAGE TO LAPUTA AND OTHER COUNTRIES. 


73 


taining vineyards, corn-grounds and meadows. Neither do I remember to have seen 
a more delightful prospect. His excellency observed my countenance to clear up; 
he told me, with a sigh, “that there his estate began, and would continue the same 
till we should come to his house ; that his countrymen ridiculed and despised him 
for managing his affairs no better, and for setting so ill an example to the kingdom ; 
which, however, was followed by very few, except such as were old, and wilful, and 
weak like himself.” 

We at length came to the house, which was indeed a noble structure, built accord- 
ing to the best rules of architecture. The fountains, gardens, walks, avenues and 
groves were all disposed with exact judgment and taste. I gave due praises to every- 
thing I saw, whereof his excellency took not the least notice till after supper; Avhen, 
there being no third companion, he told me with a very melancholy air “that he 
doubted he must throw down his houses in town and country, to rebuild them after 
the present mode ; destroy all his plantations, and cast others into such a form as 
modern usage required, and give the same direction to all his tenants, unless he 
would submit to incur the censure of pride, singularity, affectation, ignorance, ca- 
price, and perhaps increase his majesty’s displeasure; that the admiration I appeared 
to be under would cease or diminish when he had informed me of some particulars 
which probably I never heard of at court, the people there being too much taken up 
in their own speculations to have any regard to what passed here below.” 

The sum of his discourse was to this effect: “That about forty years ago certain 
persons went up to Laputa, either upon business or diversion, and, after five months* 
continuance, came back with a very little smattering in mathematics, but full of vo- 
latile spirits acouired in that airy region : that these persons, upon their return, be- 
gan to dislike the management of everything below, and fell into schemes of put- 
ting all arts, sciences, languages and mechanics upon a new footing. To this end 
they procured a royal patent for erecting an academy of projectors in Lagada; and 
the humor prevailed so strongly among the people that there is not a town of any 
consequence in the kingdom without such an academy. In these colleges the pro- 
fessors contrive new rules and methods of agriculture and building, and new instru- 
ments and tools for all trades and manufactures ; whereby, as they undertake, one 
man shall do the work of ten, a palace may be built in a week, of materials so dura- 
ble as to last forever without repairing. All the fruits of the earth shall come to 
maturity at whatever season we think fit to-choose, and increase a hundredfold more 
than they do at present, with innumerable other happy proposals. The only incon- 
venience is that none of these projects are yet brought to perfection ; and in the 
meantime the whole country lies miserably waste, the houses in ruins, and the peo- 
ple without food or clothes. By all of which, instead of being discouraged, they 
are fifty times more violently bent upon prosecuting their schemes, driven equally 
on by hope and despair ; that as for himself, being not of an enterprising spirit, he 
was content to go on in the old forms, to live in the house his ancestors had built, 
and act as they did, in every part of life, without innovation ; that some few other 
persons of quality and gentry had done the same, but were looked on with an eye of 
contempt and ill-will, as enemies to art, ignorant, and ill commonwealth’s men, 
preferring their own ease and sloth before the general improvement of their coun- 
try.” 

His lordship added “that he would not, by any further particulars, prevent the 
pleasure that I should certainly take in viewing the grand academy, whither he was 
resolved I should go.” He only desired me to observe a ruined building upon the 
side of a mountain about three miles distant, of which he gave me this account: 
“That he had a very convenient mill within half a mile of his house, turned by a 
current from a large river, and sufficient for his own family, as well as a great num- 
ber of his tenants ; that about seven years ago a club of those projectors came to 
him with proposals to destroy this mill and build another on the side of that moun- 
tain, on the long ridge whereof a long canal must be cut, for a repository of water, 
to be conveyed up by pipes and engines to supply the mill, because the wind and air 
upon the height agitated the water, and thereby made it fitter for motion ; and be- 
cause the water, descending down a declivity, would turn the mill with half the cur- 
rent of a river, whose course is more upon a level.” He said “ that being then not 
very well with the court, and pressed by many of his friends, he complied with the 
proposal; and after employing a hundred men for two years, the work miscarried, 
the projectors went off; laying the blame entirely upon him, railing at hina ever 


74 


GULLIVER'S TRAVELS. 


since, and putting others upon the same experiment, with equal assurance of success 
as well as equal disappointment.” 

In a few days we came back to town ; and his excellency, considering the bad 
character he had in the academy, would not go with me himself but recommended 
me to a friend of his to bear me company thither. My lord was pleased to represent 
me as a great admirer of projects, and a person of much curiosity and easy belief; 
which, indeed, was not without truth; for I had myself been a sort of projector in 
my younger days. 


CHAPTER V. 

The author permitted to see the grand academy of Lagado — The academy largely described — The 
arts wheiein the professors employ themselves. 

This academy is not an entire single building, but a continuation of several 
houses on both sides of a street, which, growing waste, was purchased and applied 
to that m e. 

I was received very kindly by the warden, and went for many days in the academy. 
Every room has in it one or more projectors, and I believe there could not be fewer 
than five hundred rooms. 

The first man J saw was of a meagre aspect, with sooty hands and face, his hair 
and beard long, ragged, and singed in several places. His clothes, shirt and skin 
were all of the same color. He had been eight years upon a project for extracting 
sunbeams out of cucumbers, which were to be put in phials hermetically sealed, and 
let out to warm the air in inclement summers. He told me he did not doubt that in 
eight years more he should be able to supply the governor’s garden with sunshine at 
a reasonable rate; but he complained that his stock was low, and entreated me “ to 
give him something as an encouragement to ingenuity, especially since this had 
been a very dear year for cucumbers.” I made him a small present, for my lord had 
furnished me with money on purpose, because he knew their practice of begging 
from all who go to see them. 

I saw another at work to calcine ice into gunpowder, who likewise showed me a 
treatise he had written concerning the malleability of fire, which he intended to 
publish. 

There was a most ingenious architect, who had contrived a new method for build- 
ing houses, by beginning at the roof, and working downward to the foundation, 
which he justified to me by the like practice of those two prudent insects, the bee 
and the spider. 

There was a man born blind, who had several apprentices in his own condition ; 
their employment was to mix colors for painters, which their master taught them to 
distinguish by feeling and smelling, It was indeed my misfortune to find them at 
that time not very perfect in their lessons, and the professor himself happened to be 
generally mistaken. This artist is much encouraged and esteemed by the whole 
fraternity. 

In another apartment I was highly pleased with a projector who had found a de- 
vice of plowing the ground with hogs, to save the charges of plows, cattle 'md la- 
bor. The method is this : In an acre of ground you bury, at six inches distance and 
eight deep, a quantity of acorns, dates, chestnuts, and other mast or vegetables 
whereof these animals are fondest; then you drive six hundred of them into the 
field, where, in a few days, they will root up the whole ground in search of their 
food, and make it fit for sowing, at the same time manuring it ; it is true, upon ex- 
periment, they found the charge and trouble very great, and they had little or no 
crop. However, it is not doubted that his inventions may be capable of great im- 
provment. 

I went into another room where the walls were all hung round with cobwebs, ex- 
cept a narrow passage for the artist to go in and out. At my entrance he called 
aloud to me “ not to disturb his webs.” He lamented “ the fatal mistake the world 
had been so long in, of using silkworms, while we had such plenty of domestic in- 
sects who infinitely excelled the former, because they understood how to weave, as 
well as spin.” And he proposed, further, that by employing spider.* sue charge of 


A VOYAGE TO LAPUTA AND OTHER COUNTRIES. 


75 


dyeing silks should be wholly saved;” whereof I was fully convinced when he 
showed me a vast number of flies most beautifully colored, wherewith he fed his 
spiders, assuring us “ that the webs would take a tincture from them ; and as he had 
them of all hues, he hoped to fit everybody’s fancy as soon as he could find proper 
food for the flies, of certain gums, oil, and other glutinous matter, to give a strength 
and consistence to the threads.” 

There was an astronomer who had undertaken to place a sun-dial upon the great 
weathercock on the town-house by adjusting the annual and diurnal motions of the 
earth and sun, so as to answer and coincide with all accidental turnings of the 

wind 

I visited many other apartments, but shall not trouble my reader with all the curi- 
osities I observed, being studious of brevity. 

I had hitherto seen only one side of the academy, the other being appropriated to 
the advancers of speculative learning, of whom I shall say something when I have 
mentioned one illustrious person more, who is called among them “ the universal 
artist.” He told us “he had been thirty years employing his thoughts for the im- 
provement of human life.” He had two large rooms full of wonderful curiosities, 
aud fifty men at work. Some were condensing air into a dry tangible substance, by 
extracting the nitre and letting the aqueous or fluid particles percolate ; others 
softening marble for pillows and pincushions ; others petrifying the hoofs of a liv- 
ing horse, to preserve them from foundering. The artist himself was at the time 
busy upon two great designs; the first to sow land with chaff, wherein he affirmed 
the true seminal virtue to be contained, as he demonstrated by several experiments, 
which I was not skillful enough to comprehend. The other was, by a certain compo- 
sition of gums, minerals and vegetables, outwardly applied, to prevent the growth of 
wool upon two young lambs; and he hoped in a reasonable time to propagate the 
breed of naked sheep all over the kingdom. 

We crossed a walk to the other part of the academy, where, as I have already said, 
the projectors in speculative learning resided. 

The first professor I saw was in a very largo room, with forty pupils about him. 
After salutation, observing me to look earnestly upon a frame, which took up the 
greatest part of both the length and breadth of the room, he said “perhaps I might 
wonder to see him employed in a project for improving speculative knowledge by 
practical and mechanical operations. But the world would soon be sensible of its use- 
fulness; and lie flattered himself that a more noble, exalted thought never sprang in any 
other man’s head. Every one knew how laborious the usual me-lied is of attaining 
to arts and sciences ; whereas, by his contrivance, the most ignorant person, at a rea- 
sonable charge, and with a little bodily labor, might write books in philosophy, 
poetry, politics, law, mathematics and theology, without the least assistance from 
genius or study.” He then led me to the frame, about the sides whereof all his pu; ils 
stood in ranks. It was twenty feet square, placed in the middle of the room. The 
superficies was composed of several bits of wood, about the bigness of a die, but 
some larger than others. They were all linked together by slender wires. These 
bits of wood were covered on every square with paper pasted on them ; and on these 
papers were written all the words of their langua e, in their several moods, ten. ea 
and declensions, but without any order. The professor then desired me “to ob- 
serve; for he was going to set his engine at Work.” f Ihc pupils, at his command, 
took each of them hold of an iron handle, whereof there were fo:ty fixed around 
the frame; and giving them a sudden turn, the whole disposition of the words was 
entirely changed, lie then commanded six and thirty of the lads to read the sev- 
eral lines softly as they appeared upon the frame ; and where they found three or 
four words together that might make part o-f a sentence, they dictated to the. four 
remaining boys, who were scribes. This work was repeated three or four time.-; 
and at every turn the engine was so contrived that the words shifted into new 
places, as the square bits of wood moved upside down. 

Six hours a day the young students were employed in this labor; and the proces- 
sor showed me several volumes in large folio already collected of broken sentences, 
which he intended to piece together, and out of those rich materials give to the 
world a complete body of all arts and sciences ; which, however, might be still im- 
proved and much expedited, if the- public would raise a fund for making and em- 
ploying five hundred such frames in Lagado, and oblige the managers to conti ibute 
in common their several collections. 


GULLIVER’S TRAVELS. 


76 


He assured me “ that the invention had employed all his thoughts from his youth; 
that he had emptied the whole vocabulary into his frame, and made the strictest 
computation of the general proportion there is in books between the number of 
particles, nouns, and verbs, and other parts of speech.” 

I made my humblest acknowledgment to this illustrious person, for his great com- 
municativeness; and promised “if ever I had the good fortun to return to my 
kative country, that I would do him justice, as the sole inventor of this wonderful 
machine;” the form and contrivance of which I desired leave t* delineate on pa- 
per. I told him, “although it was the custom of our learned in Europe to steal 
inventions from each other, who had thereby at least this advantage, that it became 
a controversy which was the right owner; vet I would take such caution that he 
should have the honor entire, without a rival.” 

We next went to the school of languages, where three professors sat in consulta- 
tion upon improving that of their own country 

The first project was, to shorten discourse, by cutting polysyllables into one, and 
leaving out verbs and participles; because in reality all things imaginable are but 
nouns. 

The other project was a scheme for entirely abolishing all words whatsoever; 
and this was urged as a great advantage in point of health, as well as brevity. For 
it is plain that every word we speak is, in some degree, a dimunition of our lungs 
by corrosion; and consequently contributes to the shortening of our lives. An ex- 
pedient was therefore offered, “that since words are only names for things, it would 
be more convenientfor all men to carry aboutthem such things a< were necessary to 
express a particular business they are to discourse on.” And this invention would 
certainly have taken place, to the great ease as well as health of the subject, if the 
women, in conjunction with the vulgar and illiterate, had not threatened to raise a 
rebellion unless they might be allowed the liberty to speak with their tongues, after 
the manner of their forefathers; such constant irreconcilable enemies to science 
are the common people. However, many of the most learned and wise adhere to 
the new scheme of expressing themselves by things; which has only this incon- 
venience attending it, that if a man’s business be very great, and of various kinds, 
he must be obliged, in proportion, to carry a greater bundle of things upon his back, 
unless he can afford one or two strong servants to attend him. I have often beheld 
two of these sages almost sinking under the weight of their packs, like peddlers 
among us; who, when they met in the street, would lay down their loads, open 
their packs and hold conversation for an hour together; then put up their imple- 
ments, help each other to resume their burdens, and take their leave. 

But for a short conversation, a man may carry implements in his pockets, and un- 
der his arms, enough to supply him; and in his house he cannot be at a loss. There- 
fore the room where company meet who practice this art, is full of things, ready at 
hand, requisite to furnish matter for this kind of artificial converse. 

Another great advantage proposed by this invention, was that it would serve as a 
universal language, to be understood in all civilized nations, whose goods and 
utensils are generally of the same kind, or nearly resembling, so that their uses 
might easily be comprehended. And thus ambassadors would be qualified to treat 
with foreign princes, or ministers of state, to whose tongues they were utter strangers. 

I was at the mathematical school, where the master taught his pupils after a 
method scarcely imaginable to us in Europe. The proposition and demonstration 
were fairly written on a thin wafer, with ink composed of cephalic tincture. This, 
the student was to swallow upon a fasting stomach, and for three days following eat 
nothing but bread and. water. As the wafer digested, the tincture mounted to his 
brain beaming the proposition along with it. But the success has not hitherto been 
answerable, partly by some error in the quantum or composition, and partly by the 
perverseness of the lads, to whom this bolus is so nauseous that they generally steal 
aside auu discharge it upwards; neither have they been yet persuaded to use so 
long an abstinence as the prescription requires. 


A VOYAGE TO LAPUTA AND OTHER COUNTRIES. 


77 


CHAPTER VI. 

A further account of the academy — The author proposes some improvements, which are honor- 
ably received. 


In the school of political projectors, I was out ill entertained; the professors ap- 
pearing, in my judgment, wholly out of their senses; which is a scene that never 
fails to make me melancholy. These unhappy people were proposing schemes for 
persuading monarchs to choose favorites upon the score of their wisdom, capacity, 
and virtue; of teaching ministers to consult the public good; of rewarding merit, 
great abilities, and eminent services ; of instructing princes to know their true in- 
terest, by placing it on the same foundation with that of their people; of choosing 
for employments persons qualified to exercise them ; with many other wild, impossi- 
ble chimeras, that never before entered into the heart of a man to conceive ; and con- 
firmed me in the old observation, *‘that there is nothing so extravagant and irra- 
tional which some philosophers have not affirmed for truth.” 

But, however, I shall so far do justice in this part of the academy as to acknowl- 
edge that all of them were not so visionary. There was a most ingenious doctor, 
who seemed to be perfectly versed in the whole nature and system of government. 
This illustrious person had very usefully employed his studies in finding out ef- 
fectual remedies for all diseases and corruptions to which the several kinds of 
public administration are subject, by the vices and infirmities of those who govern, 
as well as by the licentiousness of those who are to obey. For instance: whereas, 
all writers and reasoners have agreed that there is a strict universal resemblance 
between the natural and political body, can there be anything more evident than 
that the health of both must be preserved, and the diseases cured, by the same pre- 
scriptions? It is allowed that senates and great councils are often troubled with re- 
dundant, ebullient, and other peccant humors; with many diseases of the head, and 
more of the heart; with strong convulsions, with grevious contraction of the nerves 
and sinews in both hands, but especially in the right; with spleen, flatus vertigos 
and deliriums; with canine appetites, and crudemss of digestion, besides many 
others needless to mention. This doctor therefore proposed, “ that upon the meeting 
of the senate, certain physicians should attend at the three first days of their sitting, 
and at the close of each day’s debate feel the pulse of every senator; after which, 
having maturelv considered and consulted upon the nature of the several maladies, 
and the methods of cure, they should on the fourth day return to the senate-house, 
attended by their several apothocaries stored with the proper medicines; and before 
the members sat , administer to each of them lenitives, aperients, abstersives, corro- 
sives, restringents, palliatives, laxatives, cephalalgics, icterics, aphlegmatics, acous- 
tics, as their several cases required ; and, accordingly as these medicines should ope- 
rate, repeat, alter or omit them, at the next meeting.” 

This project could not be of any great expense to the public, and might, in my 
opinion, be of much use for the despatch of business, in those countries where 
senates have any share in the legislative power; beget unanimity, shorten debates, 
open a few mouths which are now closed, and close many more which are now 
open; curb the petulancy of the young, and correct the positiveness of the old; 
rouse the stupid, and damp the pert. 

Again, because it is a general complaint that the favorites of princes are 
troubled with short and weak memories, the same doctor proposed “that whoever 
attended the first minister, after having told his business, with the utmost brevity 
and in the plainest words, should, at his departure, give the said minister a tweak 
by the nose, or a kick in the stomach, or tread on his corns, or lug him thrice by 
both ears, or pinch his arm black and blue to prevent forgetfulness; and at every 
levee dav, repeat the same operation, till the business were done, or absolutely 

refused. . ‘ . , , 

He likewise directed “ that every senator in the great council of a nation after he 
had delivered his opinion and argued in defense of it, should be obliged to give his 
vote directly contrary; because if that were done, the result would infallibly termi- 
nate in the good of the public.” ^ 

When parties in a state are violent, he offered a wonderful contrivance to recon- 


78 


GULLIVER'S TRAVELS. 


cile them. The method is this: you take a hundred .caders of each party; you dis- 
pose them into couples of such whose heads are nearest of a size; then let two nice 
operators saw off the occiput of each couple at the same time, and in such a man- 
ner, that the brains may be equally divided. Let the occiputs thus cut off be inter- 
changed, applying each to the head of his opposite party-man. It seems, indeed, to 
be a work that requires some exactness, but the professor assured us “ that if it 
were dextrouslv performed, the cure would be infallible.” For he argued thus: 
“that the two half brains being left to debate the matter between themselves within 
the space of one skull, would soon come to a good understanding; and produce that 
moderation, as well as regularity of thinking, so much to be wished for in the heads of 
those who imagine they come into'the world only to watch and govern its motions; 
and as to the difference of brains, in quantity or quality, among those who are di- 
rectors in faction,” the doctor assured us, from his own knowledge, that “it was a 
perfect trifle.” 

I heard a very warm debate between two professors, about the most commodious 
and effectual ways and means of raising money, without grieving the subject. The 
first affirmed “the justest method would be to lava certain tax on vice and folly ; and 
the sum fixed upon every man to be rated, after the fairest manner, by a jury of his 
neighbors.” The second was of an opinion directly contrary; “tax those qualities 
of body and mind for which men chiefly value themselves; the rate to be more or 
less, according to the degrees of excelling; the decision whereof should be left en- 
tirely to their own breasts.” Wit, valor, and politeness were proposed to be largely 
taxed, and collected by every person’s giving his own word for the quantum of what 
he possessed. But as to honor, justice, wisdom and learning, they shall not be 
taxed at all; because they are qualifications of so singular a kind, that no man will 
either allow them in his neighbor or value them in himself. 

The women were pr.oposed to be taxed according to their beauty and skill in 
dressing, wherein they had the same privilege with the men, to be determined by 
their own judgment. But constancy, good sense, and good nature, were not rated, 
because they would not bear the charge of collecting. 

.To keep senators in the interest of the crown, it was proposed that the members 
shall raffle for employments; every man first taking an oath, and giving security, 
that he would vote for the court whether he won or not; after which, the losers had, 
in their turn, the. liberty of raffling upon the next vacancy. Thus, hope and expec- 
tation would be kept aiive; none would complain of broken promises, but impute 
their disappointments wholly to fortune, whose shoulders are broader and stronger 
than those of a ministry. 

Another professor showed me a large paper of instructions for discovering plots 
and conspiracies against the government, lie advised great statesmen to examine 
into the diet of all respectable persons; their times of eating; upon which side they 
lay in bed, &c. 

The whole discourse was written with great acuteness, containing many observa- 
tions, both curious and useful for politicians; but, as I conceived, not altogether 
complete. This I ventured to tell the author, and offered, if he pleased, to supply 
him with some additions. He received my proposition with more compliance than 
is usual among writers, especially those of the projecting species, professing “he 
would be glad to receive further information.” 

I told him, that in the kingdom Tribnia, by the natives called Langden, where I 
sojourned some time in my travels, the bulk of the people consist in a manner 
wholly of discoverers, witnesses, informers, accusers, prosecutors, evidences, swear- 
ers, together with their several subservient and subaltern instruments, all under the 
colors, the conduct, and the pay of ministers of state, and their deputies. The plots in 
that kingdom are usually the workmanship of those persons who desire to raise 
their own characters of profound politicians; to restore new vigor to a crazy ad- 
ministration; to stifle or divert general discontents; to fill their coffers with forfeit- 
ures; and raise or sink the opinions of public credit, as either shall best answer their 
private advantage. It is first agreed and settled among them what suspected per- 
sons should be accused of a plot; theu effectual care is taken to secure all their let- 
ters and papers, and put the owners in chains. These papers are delivered to 
a set of artists, very dextrous in finding out the mysterious meaning of words sylla- 
bles and letters; for instance, they can discover a flock of geese to signify a senate* 
a lame dog, an invader; the plague, a standing army; a buzzard, a prime minister; 


A VOYAGE TO LAPUTA AND OTHER COUNTRIES. 


79 


the gout, a high priest; a gibbet, a secretary of state; a broom, a revolution; a 
mouse trap, an employment; a bottomless pit, a treasury; a sink, a court; a cap and 
bells, a favorite; a broken reed, a court of justice; an empty tun, a general; a run- 
ning sore, the administration. 

“When this method fails, they have two others more effectual, which the learned 
among them call acrostics and anagrams. First, they can decipher all initial letters 
into political meaning. Thus, N shall signify a plot; B, a regiment of horse; L, a 
fleet at sea ; or secondly by transposing the letters of the alphabet in any suspected 
paper, they can lay open the deepest designs of a discontented party. So, for exam- 
ple, if I should say in a letter to a friend, about some wood that had been ordered, 
‘ Our brother Tom has just got the piles,’ a skillful decipherer would discover that 
the same letters which compose that sentence may be analyzed into the following 
words: ‘Resist — a plot is brought home — The tour.’ And this is the anagrammatic 
method/’ 

The professor made me great acknowledgements for communicating these ob- 
servations, and promised to made honorable mention of me in his treatise. 

I saw nothing in this country that could invite me to a longer continuance, and 
began to think of returning home to England. 


CHAPTER VII. 

The author leaves Lagado, and arrives at Maldonada— No ship ready— He takes a short voyage to 
Glubbdubdrib— His reception by the governor. 

The continent, of which this kingdom is a part, extends itself, as I have reason to 
believe, eastward, to that unknown tract of America westward of California; and 
north, to the Pacific Ocean, which is not above a hundred and fifty miles from Laga- 
do, where there is a good port, and much commerce from the great island of Lugg- 
nagg, situated to the north-west about 29 degrees north latitude and 140 longitude. 
This island of Luggnagg stands south-eastward of Japan, about a hundred leagues 
distant. There is a strict alliance between the Japanese emperor and the king of 
Luggnagg, which affords frequent opportunities of sailing from one island to the 
other. T determined therefore to direct my course this way, in. order to my return 
to Europe. I hired two mules, with a guide to show me the way and carry my small 
baggage. I took leave of my noble protector who had shown me so much favor, and 
made me a generous present at my departure. 

My journey was without any accident or adventure worth relating. When I ar- 
rived at the port of Maldonada (for so it is called) there was no ship in the harbor 
bound for Luggnagg. nor likely to be for some time. The town is about as large as 
Portsmouth. I soon fell into some acquaintance, and was very hospitably received. 
A gentleman of distinction said to me, “That since the ships bound for Luggnagg 
could not be ready in less than a month, it might be no disagreeable amusement for 
me to take a trip to the little island of Glubbdubdrib, about five leagues off to the 
south-west.” He offered himself and a friend to accompany me, and that I should 
be provided with a small, convenient bark for the voyage. 

Glubbdubdrib, as near as I can interpret the word, signifies the island of sorcerers 
or magicians. It is about one third as large as the Isle of Wight, and extremely 
fruitful ; it is governed by the head of a certain tribe, who are all magicians. This 
tribe marries only among each other, and the eldest in succession is prince or gov- 
ernor. He has a noble palace, and a park of three thousand acres, surrounded by a 
wall of hewn stone twenty feet high. In this park are several small enclosures for 
cattle, corn and gardening. . , , . . , . , 

The governor and his family are served and attended by domestics of a kind some- 
what unusual. By his skill in necromancy he has a power of calling whom he 
pleases from the dead, and commanding their service for twenty-four hours, but no 
longer ; nor can he call the same persons up again in less than three months, except 
upon verv extraordinary occasions. 

When we arrived at this island, which was about eleven in the morning, one of 
the gentlemen who accompanied me went to the governor and desired admittance 
for a stranger, who came on purpose to have the honor of attending on his highness. 


80 


4 


GULLIVER’S TRAVELfit 


This was immedifltfety gf&fttfed, and we all three entered the gate of the palace be- 
tween two rows of guards, armed and dressed after a very antic manner, and some- 
thing in their countenances that made my flesh creep with a horror that I cannot 
express. We passed through several apartments, between servants of the same sort, 
ranked on each side as before, till we came to the chamber of presence, where, after 
three profound obeisances, and a few general questions, we were permitted to sit on 
three stools, near the lowest step of his highness’ throne. He understood the lan- 
guage of Balnibarbi, although it was different from that of this island. He desired 
me to give him some account of my travels; and to let me see that I should be 
treated without ceremony, he dismissed all his attendants with a turn of his finger; 
at which, to my great astonishment, they vanished in an instant, like visions in a 
dream when we awake on a sudden. I could not recover myself for some time, till 
the governor assured me “that I should receive no hurt;” and observing my two 
companions to be under no concern, who had been often entertained in the same 
manner, I began to take courage, and related to his highness a short history of my 
several adventures, yet not without some hesitation, and frequently looking behind 
me to the place where I had seen those domestic spectres. I had the honor to dine 
with the governor, where a new set of ghosts served up the meat and waited at 
table. I now observed myself to be less terrified than I had been in the morning. 

I stayed till sunset, but humbly desired his highness to excuse me for not accepting 
his invitation of lodging in the palace. My two friends and I lay at a private house 
in the town adjoining, which is the capital of this little island; and the next morn- 
ing we returned to pay our duty to the governor, as he was pleased to command us. 

After this manner we continued in the island for ten days, most part of every day 
with the governor, and at night in our lodging. I soon grew so familiarized to the 
sight of spirits, that after the third or fourth time they gave me no emotion at all; 
or if I had any apprehensions left, my curiosity prevailed over them. For his high* 
ness the governor ordered me “to call up whatever persons I might choose to name, 
and in whatever numbers, among all the dead from the beginning of the world to 
the present time, and command them to answer any questions I should think fit to 
ask; with this condition, that my question be confined within the compass of the 
times they lived in. And one thing I might depend upon, that they would certain- 
ly tell me the truth, for lying was a talent of no use in the lower world.” 

I made my acknowledgments to his highness for so great a favor. We were in a 
chamber, from whence there was a fair prospect into the park And because my first 
inclination was to be entertained with scenes of pomp and magnificence, I desired 
to see Alexander the Great at the head of his army, just after the battle of Arbela; 
which, upon a motion of the governor’s finger, immediately appeared in a large 
field, under the window where we stood. Alexander was called up into the room; 
it was with great difficulty that I understood his Greek, and had but little of my 
own. He assured me upon his honor “ that he was not poisoned, but died of a bad 
fever by excessive drinking.” 

Next, I saw Hannibal passing the Alps, who told me, “He had not a drop of vine- 
gar in his camp.” 

I saw Caesar and Pompey at the head of their troops, just ready to engage. I saw 
the former, in the last great triumph. I desired that the senate of Rome might ap- 
pear before me, in one large chamber, and a modern representative in counterview 
in another. Tne first seemed to be an assembly of heroes and demi-gods; the other, 
a knot of peddlers, pickpockets, highwaymen and bullies. 

The governor, at my request, gave the sign for Caesar and Brutus to advance toward 
us. I was struck with a profound venevation at the sight of Brutus, and could 
easily discover the most consummate virtue, the greatest intrepidity and firmness of 
mind, the truest love of his country, and general benevolence of mankind, in every 
lineament of his countenance. I observed, with much pleasure, th it these two per- 
sons were in good intelligence with each other; and Caesar freely confessed to me, 
“ That the greatest actions of his own life were not equal by many degrees to the 
glory of taking it away.” I had the honor to have much conversation with Brums, 
and was told, “That his ancestor Junius, Socrates, Epaminondas, Cato the younger, 
Sir Thomas More, and himself, were perpetually together:” a sextumvirate to which 
all the ages of the world cannot add a seventh. 

It would be tedious to trouble the reader with relating what vast numbers of illus- 
trious persons were called up to gratify that insatiable desire I had to see the world 


A VOYAGE TO LAPUTA AND OTHER COUNTRIES. 


81 


in every period of antiquity placed before me. I chiefly fed mine eyes with behold- 
mg the destroyers of tyrants and usurpers, and the restorers of liberty to oppressed 
and injured nations. But it is impossible to express the satisfaction I received in 
my own mind after such a manner as to make it a suitable entertainment to the 

reader. 


CHAPTER VIII. 

A further account of Glubbdubdrib— Ancient and modern hist >ry corrected. 

. Having a desire to see those ancients who were most renowned for wit and learn- 
ing, I set apart one day on purpose. I proposed that Homer and Aristotle might 
appear at the head of all their commentators; but these were so numerous that some 
hundreds w r ere forced to attend in the court and outward rooms of the palace. I 
Knew and could distinguish those two heroes at first sight, and not only from the 
crowd, but Irom each other. Homer was the taller and comlier person of the two, 
walked very erect for one of his age, and his eyes were the most quick and piercing 
I ever beheld. Aristotle stooped much, and made use of a staff. His visage was 
meagre, his hair lank and thin, and his voice hollow. I soon discovered that both 
of them were perfect strangers to the rest of the company, and had never seen or 
heard of them before; and I had a wh 8per from a ghost who shall be nameless, 
“ That these commentators always kept in ihe most distant quarters from their prin- 
cipals, in the lower world, through a consciousness of shame and guilt, because they 
had so horribly misrepresented the meaning of those authors to posterity.” I intro- 
duced Didymus and Eustathius to Homer, and prevailed on him to treat them better 
than perhaps they deserved, for he soon found they wanted a genius to enter into 
the spirit of a poet. But Aristotle was out of all patience with the account I gave 
him of Scotus and Ramus, as I presented them to him ; and he asked them, “Wheth- 
er the rest of the tribe were as great dunces as themselves?” 

I then desired the governor to call up Descartes and Gassendi, with whom I pre- 
vailed to explain their systems to Aristotle. This great philosopher freely acknowl- 
edged his own mistakes in natural philosophy, because he proceeded in many things 
upon conjecture, as all men must do; and he found that Gassendi, who had made 
the doctrine of Epicurus as palatable as he could, and the vortices of Descartes, 
were equally to be exploded. He predicted the same fate to attraction, whereof the 
present learned are such zealous assertors. He said, “That new systems of nature 
were but new fashions, which would vary in every age; and even those who pretend 
to demonstrate them from mathematical principles would flourish but a short period 
of time, and be out of vogue when that was determined.” 

I spent five days in conversing with many others of the ancient learned. I saw 
most of the Roman emperors. I prevailed on the governor to call up Heliogabalus’s 
cooks to dress us a dinner, but they could not show us much of their skill, for want 
of materials. A helot of Agesilaus made us a dish of Spartan broth, but I was not 
able to get down a second spoonful. 

The two gentlemen who conducted me to the island, were pressed by their private 
affairs to return in three days, which I employed in seeing some of the modern dead 
who had made the greatest figure for two or three hundred years past, in our own 
and other countries of Europe; and having been always a great admirer of old, il- 
lustrious families, I desired the governor would call up a dozen or two of kings, with 
their ancestors, in order, for eight or nine generations. But my disappointment was 
grievous and unexpected. For, instead of a long train with royal diadems, I saw in 
one family two fiddlers, three spruce courtiers, and an Italian prelate. In another, 
a barber, an abbott, and two cardinals. I have too great a veneration for crowned 
heads to dwell any longer on so nice a subject. But as to counts, marquisses, dukes, 
earls, and the like, I was not so scrupulous. And I confess, it was not without some 
pleasure that I found myself able to trace the particular features, by which certain 
families are distinguished, up to their originals. I could plainly discover whence 
one family derives a long chin; why a second has abounded with knaves for two 
generations, and fools for two more; why a third happened to be crack-brained, and 
a fourth to be shaqjers; whence it came, what Polydore Virgil says of a certain great 


82 


GULLIVER'S TRAVELS. 


house, JVec ver fortis, nec fccmina casta; how cruelty, falsehood and cowardice grew 
to !>e characteristics by which certain families are distinguished as much as by their 
coats of arms. Neither could I wonder at all this, when I saw such an interruption 
of lineages, by pages, lackeys, valets, coachmen, gamesters, fiddlers, players, 
captains, and pickpockets. 

I was chiefly disgusted with modern history. For, having strictly examined all 
the persons of greatest names in the courts of princes for a hundred years past, I 
found how the world had been misled, by prostitute writers, to ascribe the greatest 
exploits in war to cowards; the wisest counsel to fools; sincerity to flatterers; Roman 
virtue to betrayers of their country; piety to atheists; truth to informers; how 
many innocent and excellent persons had been condemned to death or banishment 
by the practising of great ministers upon the corruption of judges and the malice of 
factions; how many villains had been exalted to the highest places of trust, power, 
dignity and profit; how great a share in the motions and events of courts, councils 
and senates might be challenged by parasites and buffoons. How low an opinion I 
had of human wisdom and integrity when* I was truly informed of the springs and 
motives of great enterprises and revolutions in the world, and of the contemptible 
accidents to which they owned their success ! 

Here I discovered the roguery and ignorance of those who pretend to write anec- 
dotes, or secret history; who send so many kings to their graves with a cup of 
poison; will repeat the discourse between a prince and chief minister, where no wit- 
ness was by; unlock the thoughts and cabinets of ambassadors and secretaries of 
state, and have the perpetual misfortune to be mistaken. Here I discovered the true 
causes of many great events that have surprised the world; how a woman can govern 
the back stairs, the back stairs a council, and the council a senate. A general con- 
fessed, in my presence, “That he got a victory purely by the force of cowardice and 
ill conduct;” and an admiral, “That, for want of proper intelligence, he beat the 
enemy to whom he intended to betray the fleet.” Three kings protested to me, 
“ That, in their whole reigns, they never did once prefer any person of merit — unless 
by mistake or treachery of some minister in whom they confided — neither would 
they do it if they were to live again;” and they showed, with great strength of 
reason, “That the royal throne could not be supported without corruption, because 
that positive, confident, restive temper which virtue infused into a man was a per- 
petual clog to public business.” 

I had the curiosity to inquire, in a particular manner, by what methods great 
members had procured to themselves high titles of honor and prodigious estates; 
and I confined my inquiry to a very modern period— however, without grating upon 
present times, because I would be sure to give no offense even to foreigners; for I 
hope the reader need not be told that I do not in the least intend my own country 
in what I say upon this occasion. A great number of persons concerned were called 
up, and — upon a very slight examination — discovered such a scene of infamy, that I 
cannot reflect upon it without some seriousness. Perjury, oppression, subornation, 
fraud, pandarism and the like infirmities were among the most excusable arts they 
had to mention ; and for these I gave, as It was reasonable, great allowance. Rut 
when some confessed they owed their greatness and wealth to the betraying of their 
country or their prince ; others to poisoning; more to the perverting of justice in 
order to destroy the innocent, I hope I maybe pardoned if these discoveries inclined 
me a little to abate of that profound veneration which I am naturally apt to pay to 
persons of high rank, who ought to be treated with the utmost respect due to their 
sublime dignity by us their inferiors. 

I had often read of some great services done to princes and states, and desired to 
see the persons by whom those services were performed. Upon inquiry I was told 
“ that their names were to be found on no record — except a few of them* whom his- 
tory has represented as the vilest of rogues and traitors.” As to the rest, I had never 
once heard of them. They all appeared with dejected looks and in the meanest hab- 
its, most of them telling me, “ They died in poverty and disgrace,” and the rest on a 
scaffold or on a gibbet. 

Among others, there was one person whose case appeared a little singular. He 
had a youth about eighteen years old standing by his side. He told me “ he had 
for many years been commander of a ship ; and in the sea-fight at Actium had the 
good foitune to break through the enemy’s great line of battle, sink three of their 
capital ships and take a fourth— which w*as the sole cause of Antony’s flight and of 


A VOYAGE TO LAPUTA AND OTHER COUNTRIES. 


83 


the victory that ensued ; that the youth standing by him, his only son, was kined in 
the action.” He added, “That upon the confidence of some merit, the war being at 
an end, he went to Rome and solicited at the court of Augustus to be preferred to a 
greater ship, whose commander had been killed ; but, without any regard to his pre- 
tentions, it was given to a boy who had never seen the sea, the son of Libertina, who 
waited on one of the emperor’s mistresses. Returning back to his own vessel he 
was charged with neglect of duty, and the ship given to a favorite page of Publicola, 
the vice-admiral ; whereupon he retired to a poor farm at a great distance from Rome 
and there ended his life.” I was so curious to know the truth of this story that I 
desired Agrippa might be called, who was admiral in that fight. He appeared, and 
confirmed the whole account — but with much more advantage to the captain, whose 
modesty had extenuated or concealed a great part of his merit. 

I was surprised to find corruption grown so high and so quick in that empire, by 
the force of luxury so lately introduced; which made me less wonder at many par- 
allel cases in other countries, where vices of all kinds have reigned so much longer, 
and where the whole praise, as -well as pillage, has been engrossed by the chief com- 
mander — who, perhaps, had the least title to honor. 

As every person called up made exactly the same appearance he had done in the 
world, it gave me melancholy reflections to observe how much the race of human 
kind was degenerated among us within these hundred years past. 

I descended so low as to desire some English yeomen of an old stamp might be 
summoned to appear — once so famous for the simplicity of their manners, diet and 
dress; for justice in their dealings; for their true spirit of liberty; for their valor 
and love of their country. Neither could I be wholly unmoved, after comparing the 
living with the dead — when I considered how all these pure, native virtues were 
prostituted for a piece of.money by their grandchildren ; who, in selling their votes 
and managing at elections, have acquired every vice and corruption that can pos- 
sibly be learned in a court. 


CHAPTER IX. 

The author returns to Maldonada — Sails to the kingdom of Luggn?gg— The author confined — He 
is sent for to court— JLhe manner oi his admittance — The king's gieat leuiiy to his subjects. 

The day of our departure being come, I took leave of his highness the governor of 
Glubbdubdrib, and returned with my two companions to Maldonada, where, after a 
fortnight's waiting, a ship was ready to sail for Luggnagg. The two gentlemen, and 
some others, were so generous and kind as to furnish me with provisions and see me 
on board. I was a month on this voyage. We had one violent storm and were under 
a necessity of steering westward to get into the trade-wind, which holds for about 
sixty leagues. On the 21st of April, 1708, we sailed into the river of Clumegnig, 
which is a seaport town at the south-east point of Luggnagg. We cast anchor within 
a league of the town and made a signal for a pilot. Two of them came on board in 
less than half an hour, by whom we were guided between certain shoals and rocks— 
which are very dangerous in the passage — to a large basin, where a fleet may ride in 
safety within a cable’s length of the town wall. 

Some of our sailors — whether out of treachery or inadvertence — had informed the 
pilots “ that I was a stranger and a great traveler ; ” whereof these gave notice to a 
custom-house officer, by whom I was examined very strictly upon my landing. This 
officer spoke to me in the language of Balnibarbi, which, by the force of much com- 
merce, is generally understood in that town, especially by seamen and those em- 
ployed in the customs. I gave him a short aopount of some particulars, and made 
my story as plausible and consistent as I could ; but I thought it necessary to dis- 
guise my country and call myself a Hollander, because my intentions were for Japan 
—and I knew the Dutch were the only Europeans permitted to enter into that king- 
dom. I therefore told the officer “ that having been shipwrecked on the coast of 
Balnibarbi and cast on a rock, I was received up into Laputa, or the flying island (of 
which he had often heard), and was now endeavoring to get to Japan, whence I 
might find a convenience of returning to my own country.” The oflicer said “ I 
must be confined till he could receive orders from court; for which he would write 


84 


GULLIVER’S TRAVELS. 


immediately and hoped to receive an answer in a fortnight.” I was carried to a con- 
venient lodging, with a sentry placed at the door; however, I had the liberty of a 
large garden, and was treated with humanity enough, being maintained all the time 
at the king’s charge. I was visited by several persons — chiefly out of curiosity, be- 
cause it was reported that I came from countries very remote, of which they had 
aever heard. 

I hired a young man, who came in the same ship, to be an interpreter; he was a 
native of Luggnagg, but had lived some years at Maldonada, and was a perfect mas- 
ter of both languages. By his assistance I was able to hold a conversation with 
those who came to visit me; but this consisted only of their questions and my answers. 

The dispatch came from court about the time we expected. It contained a war- 
rant for conducting me and my retinue to Traldragdubh, or Trildrogdrib (for it is 
pronounced both ways, as near as I can remember), by a party of ten horse. All my 
retinue was that poor lad for an interpreter, whom I persuaded into my service, and, 
at my humble request, we had each of us a mule to ride on. A messenger was dis- 
patched half a day’s journey before us, to give the king notice of my approach, and 
to desire ‘‘that his majesty would be pleased to appoint a day and hour when it 
would be his gracious pleasure that I might have the honor to lick the dust before 
his footstool.” This is the court style, and I found it to be more than matter of form; 
for, upon my admittance two days after my arrival, I was commanded to crawl upon 
my belly and lick the floor as I advanced; but, on account of my being a stranger, 
care was taken to have it made so clean that the dust was not offensive. However, 
this was a peculiar grace, not allowed to any but persons of the highest rank when 
they desire an admittance. Nay, sometimes the floor is strewed with dust on purpose, 
when the person to be admitted happens to have powerful enemies at court; and I 
have seen a great lord with his mouth so crammed, that,* when he had crept to the 
proper distance from the throne, he was not able to speak a word. Neither is there 
any remedy ; because it is capital for those who receive an audience to spit or wipe 
their mouth in his majesty’s presence. There is, indeed, another custom, which I 
cannot altogether approve of: when a king has a mind to put any of his nobles to 
death in a gentle, indulgent manner, he commands the floor to be strewed with a 
certain brown powder of a deadly composition, which, being licked up, infallibly 
kills him in twenty-four hours. But, in justice to this prince’s great clemency and 
the care he has of hia subjects’ lives (wherein it were much to be wished that the 
monarchs of Europe would imitate him), it must be mentioned, for his honor, that 
strict orders are given to have the infected parts of the floor well washed after every 
such execution — which, if his domestics neglect, they are in danger of incurring his 
royal displeasure. I myself heard him give directions that one of his pages should 
be whipped, whose turn it w'as to give notice about washing the floor alter an execu- 
tion, but maliciously had omitted it; by which neglect a young lord of great hopes, 
coming to an audience, was unfortunately poisoned, although the king at that time 
had no design against his life. But this good prince was so gracious as to forgive 
the poor page his whipping, upon promise that he would do so no more without spe- 
cial orders. 

To return from this digression : when I had crept to within four yards of the 
throne I raised myself gently upon my knees, and then, striking my forehead seven 
times against the ground, I pronounced the following words as they had been taught 
me the night before, Inckpling glofftlirobb squw tserumm b.'hiop mlashnalt zvrin tnodbalr 
kuff hsthiophad kiirdlubhasM. This is the compliment, established by the laws of the 
land, for all persons admitted to the king’s presence. It may be rendered into Eng- 
lish thus, “ May your celestial majesty outlive the sun, eleven moons and a half ! ” 
To this the king returned some answer, which, although I could not understand, yet 
I replied, as I had been directed, Flute drin yalerick dwuldom prtasrad mirpush, 
which properly signifies, “My tongue is in the mouth of my friend;” and by this 
expression was meant that I desired leave to bring my interpreter; whereupon the 
young man already mentioned was accordingly introduced, by whose intervention I 
answered as many questions as his majesty could put in about an hour. I spoke in 
the Balnibarbian tongue, and my interpreter delivered my meaning in that of Lugg- 
nagg. The king was much delighted with my company, and ordered his bliffmarkhtf), 
or high chamberlain, to appoint a lodging in the court for me and my interpreter; 
with a daily allowance for my table and a large piece of gold for my common ex- 
penses. 


A VOYAGE TO LAPUTA AND OTHER COUNTRIES. 85 

I stayed three months in this®country, out of perfect obedience to his majesty, who 
was pleased highly to favor me and made me very honorable offers. But i thought 
it more consistent with prudence and justice to pass the remainder of my days with 
my wife and family. 


CHAPTER X. 

The Luggnaggians commended— A particular description of the Struldbrugs, with many conver- 
sations between the author and some eminent persons upon that subject. 

The Luggnaggians are a polite and generous people; and although they are not 
without some share of that pride which is peculiar to all Eastern countries, yet they 
show themselves courteous to strangers, especially such as are countenanced by the 
court. I had many acquaintances, and among persons of the best fashion; and 
being always attended by my interpreter, the conversation we had was not dis- 
agreeable. 

One day, in much good company, I was asked by a person of quality “whether 
I had seen any of their struldbrugs, or immortals ?” I said, “I had not;” and desired 
he would explain to me what he meant by such an appellation, applied to a mortal 
creature. He told me “ that sometimes, though very rarely, a child happened to be 
born in a family, with a red, circular spot on the forehead, directly over the left eye- 
brow, which was an infallible mark that it should never die. The spot,” as he 
described it, “was about the compass of a silver threepence, but in the course of 
time grew larger, and changed its color; for at twelve years old it became green, so 
continued till five-and-twenty, then turned to a deep blue; at five-and-forty it grew 
coal black, and as large as an English shilling; but never admitted any further alter- 
ation.” He said “ these births were so rare, that he did not believe there could be 
above eleven hundred struldbrugs , of both sexes in the whole kingdom ; of which he 
computed about fifty in the metropolis, and among the rest a young girl born about 
three years ago: that these productions were not peculiar to any family, but a mex*e 
effect of chance; and the children of the struldbrugs themselves were equally mortal 
with the rest of the people.” 

I frjely own myself to have been struck with inexpressible delight, upon hearing 
this account: and the person who gave it me happening to understand the Balnibar- 
bian language, which I spoke very well, I could not forbear breaking out into 
expressions perhaps a little too extravagant. I cried out, as in a rapture, “ Happy 
nation, where every child has at least a chance of being immortal ! Happy people, 
who enjoy so many living examples of ancient virtue, and have masters ready to 
instruct them in the wisdom of all former ages ! but happiest, beyond all comparison, 
are those excellent struldbrugs , who, being born exempt from that universal calamity 
of human nature, have their minds free and disengaged, without the weight and de- 
pression of spirits caused by the continual apprehension of death.” I discovered 
my admiration, “that I had not observed any of these illustrious persons at court; 
the black spot on the forehead being so remarkable a distinction that I could not 
have easilyoverlooked it: and it was impossible that his majesty, a most judicious 
prince, should not provide himself with a good number of such wise and able coun- 
selors. Yet perhaps the virtue of those reverend sages was too strict for the corrupt 
and libertine manners of a court : and we often find, by experience, that young men 
are too opinionated and volatile to be guided by the sober dictates of their seniors. 
However, since the king was pleased to allow me access to his royal person, I was 
resolved, upon the very first bceasion, to deliver my opinion to him on this matter 
freely and at large, by the help of my interpreter; and wnether he would please to 
take my advice or not, yet in one thing I was determined, that his majesty, having 
frequently offered me an establishment in this country, I would, with great thank- 
fulness, accept the favor, and pass my life here in the conversation of those superior 
beings, the struldbrugs , if they would please to admit me.” 

The gentleman to whom I addressed my discourse, because (as I have already ob- 
served) he spoke the language of Balnibarbi, said to me, with a sort of a smile, which 
usually arises from them to the ignorant, “ that he was glad of any occasion to keep 
me among them, and desired my permission to explain to the company what I had 


86 


GULLIVER’S TRAVELS. 


said.” He did so, and they talked together for a long time in their own language, 
whereof I understood not a syllable, neither could I observe by their countenances, 
what impression my discourse had made on them. After a short silence the same 
person told me “ that his friends and mine (so he thought fit to express himself) 
were very much pleased with the judicious remarks I had made on the great happi- 
ness and advantages of immortal life, and they were desirous to know, in a particu- 
lar maner, what scheme of living I should have formed to myself, if it had fallen to 
my lot to have been born a struldbrug.” 

I answered “ it was easy to be eloquent on so copious and delightful a subject, 
especially to me, who had been often apt to amuse myself with visions of what I 
should do, if I were a king, a general, or a great lord : and upon this very case, I 
had frequently run over the whole system Jiowl should employ myself, and pass the 
time, if I were sure to live forever. 

*‘If it had been my good fortune to come into the world a struldbrug, as soon as I 
could discover my own happiness, by understanding the difference between life and 
death, I would first resolve, by all arts and methods whatsoever, to procure myself 
riches : in pursuit of which, by thrift and management, I might reasonably expect, 
in about two hundred years, to be the wealthiest man in the kingdom. In the sec- 
ond place, I would, from my earliest youth, apply myself to the study of arts and 
sciences, by which I should arrive in time to excel all others in learning. Lastly, I 
would carefully record every action, and event of consequence, that happened in 
public, impartially draw the characters of the several successions of princes and 
great ministers of state, with my own observations on every point. I would exactlv 
set down the several changes in customs, language, fashions of dress, diet, and di- 
versions, by all which acquirements, I should be a great treasure of knowledge and 
wisdom, and certainly become the oracle of the nation. 

I would never marry after threescore, but live in a hospitable manner, yet still 
on the saving scale. I would entertain myself in forming and directing the minds 
of hopeful young men, by convincing them, from my own remembrance, experience, 
and observation, fortified by numerous examples, of the usefulness of virtue in pub- 
lic and private life. But my choice and constant companions should be a set of my 
own immortal brotherhood ; among whom, I would elect a dozen from the most 
ancient, down to my own contemporaries. Where any of these wanted fortunes, I 
would provide them with convenient lodges around my own estate, and have some of 
them always at my table ; only mingling a few of the most valuable among you mor- 
tals, whom length of time would harden me to lose with little or no reluctance, and 
treat your posterity after the same manner; just as a man diverts himself with the 
annual succession of pinks and tulips in his garden, without regretting the loss of 
those which withered the preceding year. 

“ These struldbrugs and I would mutually communicate our observations and me- 
morials, through the course of time; remark the several gradations by which cor- 
ruption steals into the world, and oppose it in every step, by giving perpetual 
warning and instruction to mankind : which, added to the strong influence of our 
own example, would probably prevent that continual degeneracv of human nature 
so justly complained of in all ages. ‘ * 

“ Add to this, the pleasure of seeing the various revolutions of states and empires • 
the changes in the lower and upper world ; ancient cities in ruins, and obscure vil- 
lages become the seats of kings ; famous rivers lessening into shallow brooks ; the 
ocean leaving one coast dry, and overwhelming another ; the discovery of many 
countries yet unknown ; barbarity overrunning the politest nations, and the most 
barbarous beeome civilized. 1 should then see the discovery of the longitude the 
perpetual motion, the universal medicine, and many other great inventions, brought 
to the utmost perfection. 

“ What wonderful discoveries should we make in astronomy, by outliving and 
confirming our own predictions ; by observing the progress and returns of comets 
with the changes of motion in the sun, moon, and stars 1” * 

I enlarged upon many other topics, which the natural desire of endless life and 
sublunary happiness, could easily furnish me with. When I had ended and the 
sum of my discourse had been interpreted, as before, to the rest of the company 
there was a good deal of talk among them in the language of the country, not with- 
out some laughter at my expense. At last, the same gentleman who had been mv 
interpreter, said, “ He was desired by the rest to set me right in a few mistakes 


A VOYAGE TO LAPUTA AND OTHER COUNTRIES. 


87 


which I had fallen into through the common imbecility of human nature, and upon 
that allowance was less answerable for them. That this breed of stnddbrugs was pecul- 
iar to their country, for there were no such people either in Balnibarbi or Japan, where 
he had the honor to be ambassador from his majesty, and found the natives in both 
these kingdoms very hard to believe that the fact was possible : and it appeared from 
my astonishment when he first mentioned the matter to me, that I received it as a 
thing wholly new, and scarcely to be credited. That in the two kingdoms above- 
mentioned, where during his residence he had conversed very much, he observed 
long life to be the universal desire and wish of mankind. That whoever had one 
foot in the grave was sure to hold back the other as strongly as he could. That the 
oldest had still hopes of living one day longer, and looked on death as the greatest 
evil, from which nature always prompted him to retreat. Only in this island of 
Luggnagg the appetite for living was not so eager, from the continual example of 
the strmdbrxigs before their eyes. 

“ That the system of living contrived by me was unreasonable and unjust; because 
it supposed a perpetuity of youth, health, and vigor, which no man could be so fool- 
ish to hope, however extravagant he may be in his wishes. That the question there- 
fore was not, whether a man would choose to be always in the prime of youth, 
attended with prosperity and health : but how he would pass a perpetual life, under 
all the usual disadvantages which old age brings along with it; for although few 
men will avow their desires of being immortal, upon such hard conditions, yet in 
the two kingdoms before mentioned, of Balnibarbi and Japan, he observed that 
every man desired to put off death some time longer, let it approach ever so late ; 
and he rarely heard of any man who died willingly, except he were incited by the 
extremity of grief or torture. And he appealed to me, whether in those countries 
I had traveled, as well as my own, I had not observed the same general disposition.” 

After this preface, he gave me a particular account of the struldbrugs among them. 
He said, “ they commonly acted like mortals till about thirty years old ; after which, 
by degrees they grew melancholy and dejected, increasing in both till they came to 
fourscore. This he learned from their own confession ; for otherwise, there not be- 
ing above two or three of that species born in an age, they were too few to form a 
general observation by. When they came to fourscore years, which is reckoned the 
extremity of living in this country, they had not only all the follies and infirmities 
of other old men, but many more which arose from the dreadful prospect of never 
dying. They were not only opinionated, peevish, covetous, morose, vain, talkative, 
but incapable of friendship, and dead to all natural affection, which never descend- 
ed below their grandchildren. But those objects against which their envy seems 
principally directed, are the vices of the younger sort, and the deaths of the old. 
By reflecting on the former, they find themselves cut off from all possibility of 
pleasure; and whenever they see a funeral, they lament and repine that others are 
gone to a harbor of rest, to which they themselves never can hope to arrive. They 
have no remembrance of anything but what they learned and obs rved in their 
youth and middle-age, and even that is very imperfect; and for the truth or particu- 
lars of any fact, it is safer to depend on common tradition than upon their best 
recollections. The least miserable among them appear to be those who turn to do- 
tage, and entirely lose their memories; these meet with more pity and assistance be- 
cause they want many bad qualities which abound in others. 

n if a struldbrug happen to marry one of his own kind, the marriage is dissolved 
of course, by the courtesy of the kingdom, as soon as the younger of the two»comca 
to be fourscore; for the law thinks it a reasonable indulgence, that those who are 
condemned, without any fault of their own, to a perpetual continuance in the world, 
should not have their miseries doubled by the load of a wife. 

a As soon as they have completed the term of eighty years, they are looked on as 
dead in law ; their heirs immediately succeed to their estates; only a small pittance 
is reserved for their support ; and the poor ones are maintained at the public charge. 
After that period they are held incapable of any employment of trust or profit; they 
cannot purchase lands, or take leases : neither are they allowed to be witnesses in 
any cause either civil or criminal, not even for the decision of meers and bounds. 

‘‘At ninety, they lose their teeth and hair; they have at that age no distinction of 
taste but eat and drink whatever they can get, without relish or appetite. The dis- 
eases thev were subject to still continue, without increasing or diminishing. In 
talking they forget the common appellation of things, and the names of persons, 


88 


GULLIVER’S TRAVELS. 


even of those who are their nearest friends and relations. For the same reasonr, 
they never can amuse themselves with reading, because their memory will not serve 
to carry them from the beginning of a sentence to the end ; and by this defect, they 
are deprived of the only entertainment whereof they might otherwise be capable. 

“The language of this country being always upon the flux, the struldbrugs of one 
age do not understand those of another ; neither are they able after two hundred 
years to hold any conversation (further than by a few general words) with their 
neighbors, the mortals; and thus they lie under the disadvantage of living like for- 
eigners in their own country.” 

This was the account given me of the Struldbrugs , as near as I can remember. I 
afterward saw five or six of different ages, the youngest not above two hundred 
years old, who were brought to me at several times by some of my^friends; but al- 
though they were told “that I was a great traveler, and had seen all the world,” 
they had not the least curiosity to ask me questions; only desired “I would give 
them slumskudash, or a token of remembrance ; ” which is a modest way of begging, 
to avoid the law, which strictly forbids it, because they are provided for by the pub- 
lic, although indeed with a very scanty allowance. 

They are despised and hated by all sorts of people. When one of them is bom i*t 
is reckoned ominous, and their birth is recorded very particularly, so that you may 
know their age by consulting the register, which, however, has not been kept above 
a thousand years past, or at least has been destroyed by time or public disturbances. 
But the usual way of computing their age is by asking them what kings or great 
persons they can remember, and then consulting history ; for infallibly the last 
prince in their mind did not begin his reign after they were four-score years 
old. 

They were the most mortifying sight I ever beheld ; and the women were more 
horrible than the men. Besides the usual deformities in extreme old age, they ac- 
quired an additional ghastliness, in proportion to their number of years, which is 
not to be described ; and among half a dozen I soon distinguished which was the 
eldest, although there was not above a century or two between them. 

The reader will easily believe that from what I had heard and seen my keen appe- 
tite for perpetuity of life was much abated. I grew heartily ashamed of the pleasing 
visions I had formed, and thought no tyrant could invent a death into which I 
would not run with pleasure from such a life. The king heard of all that had passed 
between me and my friends upon this occasion, and rallied me very pleasantly, wishing 
1 could send a couple of Struldbrugs to my own country to arm our people against 
the fear of death; but this, it seems, is forbidden by the fundamental laws of the 
kingdom, or else I should have been well content with the trouble and expense of 
transporting them. 

I could not but agree that the laws of this kingdom relative to the Slnddbrugs 
were founded upon the strongest reasons, and such as any other country would be un- 
der the necessity of enacting in the like circumstances. Otherwise, as avarice is the 
necessary consequent of old age, those immortals would in time become proprietors 
of the whole nation, and engross the civil power, which, for want of abilities to 
manage, must end in the ruin of the public. 


CHAPTER XI. 

The author leaves Luggnagg, and sails to Japan— From thence he returns in a Dutch ship to Am- 
sterdam, and from Amsterdam to England. 

I thought this account of the Struldbrugs might be some entertainment to the 
reader, because it seems to be a little out of the common way ; at least I do not re- 
member to have met the like in any book of travels that has come to my hands; and 
if I am deceived, my excuse must be that it is necessary for travelers who describe 
the same country very often to sgree in dwelling on the same particulars, without 
deserving the censure of having borrowed or transcribed from those wjio wrote be- 
fore them. 

There indeed a perpetual commerce between this kingdom and the great empire 


A' VOYaGE to laputa and other countries. 


of Japan; and it is very probable that the Japanese authors may have given some 
account of the Struldbrugs; but my stay in Japan was so short, and I was so entirely 
a stranger to the language, that I was not qualified to made any inquiries. But ! 
hope the Dutch, upon this notice, will be curious and able enough to supply my 
defects. 

His majesty having often pressed me to accept some employment in his court, and 
finding me absolutely determined to return to my native country, was pleased to 
give me his license to depart; and honored me with a letter of recommendation, 
under his own hand, to the Emperor of Japan. He likewise presented me with 
four hundred and forty-four large pieces of gold (this nation delighted in even num- 
bers) and a red diamond, which I sold in England for eleven hundred pounds. 

On the 6th of May, 1709, I took a solemn leave of his majesty and all my friends. 
This prince was so gracious as to order a guard to conduct me to Glanguenstald, which 
is a royal port to the south-west part of the island. In six days I found a vessel 
ready to carry me to Japan, and spent fifteen days in the voyage. We landed at a 
small port town called Xamoschi, situated on the south-east part of Japan; the 
town lies on the western point, where there is a narrow strait leading northward 
into a long arm of the sea, upon the north-west part of which Yedo, the metropolis, 
stands. At landing I showed the custom-house officer my letter from the king of 
Luggnagg to his imperial majesty. They kney the seal perfectly well; it was as 
broad as the palm of my hand. The impression was “ a king lifting up a lame beg- 
gar from the earth.” The magistrates of the town, hearing of my letter, received 
me as a public minister; they provided me with carriages and servants, and bore 
my charges to Yedo, where I was admitted to an audience, and delivered my letter, 
which was opened with great ceremony, and explained to the emperor by an interpre- 
ter, who then gave me notice by his majesty’s orders “that I should signify my request, 
and whatever it was it should be granted, for the sake of his royal brother of Lugg- 
nagg.” This interpreter was a person employed to transact affairs with the Hollanders; 
he soon conjectured by my countenance that I was a European, and therefore repeated 
his majesty’s commands in Low Dutch, which he spoke perfectly well. I answered, 
as I had before determined, “that I Avas a Dutch merchant, shipwrecked in a very 
remote country, whence I had traveled by sea and land to Luggnagg, and then took 
shipping for Japan, where I knew my countrymen often traded, and with some of 
these I hoped to get an opportunity of returning into Europe ; I therefore most 
humbly entreated his royal favor, to give order that I should be conducted in safety 
to Nangasac.” To this I added another petition, “That for the sake of my patron, 
the king of Luggnagg, his majesty would condescend to excuse my performing the 
ceremony imposed on my countrymen, of trampling upon the crucifix, because I 
had been thrown into this kingdom by my misfortunes, without any intention of 
trading.” When this latter petition was interpreted to the emperor, he seemed a 
little surprised, and said “he believed I was the first of my countrymen who even 
made any scruple in this point, and that he began to doubt whether I was a reaL 
Hollander or not, but rather suspected I must be a Christian. However, for the rea- 
sons I had offered, but chiefly to gratify the king of Luggnagg by an uncommon 
mark of his favor, he would comply Avith the singularity of my humor; but the af- 
fair must be managed with dexterity, and his officers should be commanded to let 
me pass, as it Avere, by forgetfulness; for he assured me that if the secret should 
be discovered by my countrymen, the Dutch, they would cut my throat in the voy- 
age.” I returned my thanks, by the interpreter, for so unusual a favor; and some 
troops being at that time on the march to Nangasoc, the commanding officer had or- 
ders to convey me safe thither, with particular instructions about the business of 
the crucifix. 

On the 9th of June, 1709, I arrived at Nangasac, after a very long and troublesome 
journey. I soon fell into the company of some Dutch sailors belonging to the Am- 
boyna, of Amsterdam, a stout ship of 450 tons. I had lived long in Holland, pursu- 
ing my studies in Leyden, and I spoke Dutch well. The seamen soon knew Avhence 
I came last; they were curious to inquire into my voyages and course of life. I 
made up a story as short and probable as I could, but concealed the greatest part. X 
kneAV many persons in Holland; I was able to invent names for my parents, whom 
I pretended to be obscure people in the province of Guelderland. I would have 
given the .captain (one Theodorus Vangrult) what he pleased to ask for my voyage 
to Holland; but understanding I was a surgeon he was contented to take half the 


90 


GULLIVER’S TRAVELS. 


usual rate, on condition that I would serve him in the way of my calling. Before 
we took shipping I was often asked by some of the crew “ whether I had performed 
the ceremony above mentioned ? ” I evaded the question by general answers; “that 
I had satisfied the emperor and court in all particulars.’’ However, a malicious 
rogue of a skipper went to an officer, and pointing to me, told him “ I had not yet 
trampled on the crucifix ; ” but the other, who had received instructions to let me 
pass, gave the rascal twenty strokes on the shoulders with a bamboo, after which I 
was no more troubled with such questions. 

Nothing happened worth mentioning in this voyage. We sailed with a fair wind 
to the Cape of Good Hope, where we stayed only to take in fresh water. On the 
10th of April, 1710, we arrived safe at Amsterdam, having lost only three men by 
sickness in the voyage, and a fourth, who fell from the foremast into the sea, not far 
from the coast of Guinea. From Amsterdam I soon after set sail for England in a 
small vessel belonging to that city. 

On the 16th of April we put in at the Downs. I landed next morning, and say 
once more my native country, after an absence of five years and six months com 
plete. I went straight to Redriff, where I arrived the same day at two in the after- 
noon, and found my wife and family in good health. 


A VOYAGE TO THE COUNTRY OF THE HOUYHNHNMS. 


91 


PART IV. 


A VOYAGE TO 


THE COUNTRY OF THE HOUYHNHNMS. 


CHAPTER I. 

The author sets out as captain of a ship — His men conspire against him, confine him a long time 
in his cabin, and set him on shore in an unkown land— He travels up into the country— The 
Yahoos, a strange sort of animal, described— The author meets two Houyhnhnms. 

I continued at home with my wife and children about five months in a very happy 
condition, if I could have learned the lesson of knowing when I tvas well. I left 
my poor wife, and accepted an advantageous offer made me to be captain of the 
Adventurer, a stout merchantman of 350 tons; for I understood navigation well, 
and being grotvn weary of a surgeon’s employment at sea, which, however, I could 
exercise upon occasion, I took a skillful young man of that calling, one Robert 
Purefoy, into my ship. We set sail from Portsmouth upon the seventh day of Sep- 
tember, 1710; on the 14th we met with Captain Pocock, of Bristol, at Teneriff, who 
was going to the Bay of Campeachy to cut logwood. On the 16th he was parted 
from us by a storm; I heard since my return that his ship foundered, and none es- 
caped but one cabin boy. He was an honest man and a good sailor, but a little too 
positive in his own opinions, which was the cause of his destruction, as it has been 
of several others ; for if he had followed my advice he might have been safe at home 
with his family at this time as well as myself. 

I had several men die in my ship of calentures, so that I was forced to get recruits 
out of Barbadoes and the Leeward Islands, where I touched by the direction of the 
merchants who employed me, which I had soon too much cause to repent, for I 
found afterward that most of them had been buccaneers. I had fifty hands on board, 
and my orders were that I should trade with the Indians in the South Sea, and make 
what discoveries I could. These rogues whom I had picked up debauched my other 
men, and they all formed a conspiracy to seize the ship and secure me ; which they 
did one morning, rushing into my cabin, and binding me hand and foot, threatening 
to throw me overboard if I offered to stir. I told them “ I was their prisoner and 
would submit.” This they made me swear to do, and then they unbound me, only 
fastening one of my legs with a chain near my bed, and placed a sentry at my door 
with his piece charged, who was commanded to shoot me dead if I attempted my 
liberty. They sent me down victuals and drink, and took the government of the 
ship to themselves. Their design was to turn pirates and plunder the Spaniards, 
which they could not do till they got more men. But first they resolved to sell the 


92 


GULLIVER'S TRAVELS. 


goods of tl\e ship and then go to Madagascar for recruits, several among then hav- 
ing died since my confinement. They sailed many weeks, and traded with the in* 
dians; but I knew not what course they took, being kept a close prisoner in 
my cabin, and expecting nothing less than to be murdered, as they often threatened 

Upon the ninth day of May, 1711, one James Welch came down to my cabin, and 
said “ he had orders from the captain to set me on shore.” I expostulated with him, 
but in vain ; neither would he so much as tell me who their new captain was. They 
forced me into the long-boat, letting me put on my best suit of clothes, which were 
as good as new, and take a small bundle of linen, but no arms, except my hanger; 
and they were so civil as not to search my pockets, into which I conveyed what 
money I had, with some otiier little necessaries. They rowed about a league, and 
then set me down on a strand. I desired them to tell me what country it was. They 
all swore “ they knew no more than myself;” but said “ that the captain (as they 
called him) had resolved, after they had sold the lading, to get rid of me in the first 
place where they could discover land.” They pushed off immediately, advising me 
to make haste for fear of being overtaken by the tide, and so bade me farewell. 

In this desolate condition I advanced forward, and soon got upon firm ground, 
where I sat down on a bank to rest myself, and consider what I had best do. When 
I was a little refreshed, I went up into the country, resolving to deliver myself to 
the first savages I should meet, and purchase my life from them by some bracelets, 
glass rings, and other toys with which sailors usually provide themselves in those 
voyages, and whereof I had some about me. The land was divided by long rows of 
trees, not regularly planted but naturally growing; there was great plenty of grass, 
and several fields of oats. I walked very circumspectly for fear of being surprised, 
or suddenly shot with an arrow from behind, or on either side. I fell into a beaten 
road, where I saw many tracks of human feet, and some of cows, but most of horses. 
At last I beheld several animals in a field, and one or two of the same kind sitting 
on trees. Their shape was very singular and deformed, which a little discomposed 
me, so that I lay down behind a thicket to observe them better, Some of them 
coming forward near the place where I lay gave me an opportunity of distinctly 
marking their form. Their heads and breasts were covered with a thick hair, some 
frizzled, and others lank; they had beards, like goats, and a long ridge of hair down 
their backs, and the foreparts of their legs and feet; but the rest of their bodies was 
bare, so that I might see their skins, which were of a brown buff color. They 
climbed high trees as nimbly as a squirrel, for they had strong, extended claws before 
and behind, terminating in sharp points, and hooked. They would often spring and 
bound and leap with prodigious agility. The females were not so large as the 
males; they had long, lank hair on their heads, but none on their faces, nor any- 
thing more than a sort of down on the rest of their bodies. The hair of both sexes 
was of several colors — brown, red, black, and yellow. Upon the whole, I never be- 
held, in all my travels, so disagreeable an animal, or one against which I naturally 
conceived so strong an antipathy; so that thinking I had seen enough — full of con- 
tempt and aversion — I got up and pursued the beaten road, hoping it might direct 
me to the cabin of some Indian. I had not gone far when I met one of these 
creatures full in my way, and coming up directly to me. The ugly monster, when 
he saw me, distorted several ways every feature of his visage, and stared as at an 
object he had never seen before ; then approaching nearer, lifted up his forepaw, 
whether out of curiosity or mischief I could not tell; but I drew my hanger and 
gave him a good blow with the flat side of it, for I durst not strike with the edge, 
fearing that the inhabitants might be provoked against me, if they should come to 
know that I had killed or maimed any of their cattle. When the beast felt the 
smart he drew back, and roared so loud that a herd of at least forty came flocking 
about me from the next field, howling and making hideous faces; but I ran to the 
body of a tree, and leaning my back against it kept them off by waving my hanger. 

In the midst of this distress I observed them all to run away on a sudden as fast 
as they could; at which I ventured to leave the tree, and pursue the road wonder- 
ing what it was that could put them into this fright. But looking on my left hand, 
I saw a horse walking softly in the field, which my persecutors having sooner 
discovered, was the cause of their flight. The horse started a little when he came 
near me, but soon recovering himself, looked full in my face with manifest tokens 
of wonder. He viewed my hands and feet, walking aronnd me several times. I 


A VOYAGE TO THE COUNTRY OF THE HOUYHNHNMS. 


93 


would have pursued my journey, buthe placed himself directly in the way, yet looking 
with a very mild aspect, never offering the least violence. We stood gazing at each 
other for some time; at last I took the boldness to reach my hand toward his neck 
with a design to stroke it, using the common style and whistle of jockeys, when they 
are going to handle a strange horse. But this animal seemed to receive my civilities 
with disdain, shook his head and bent his brows, softly raising up his right forefoot 
to remove my hand. Then he neighed three or four times, but in so different a 
cadence that I almost began to think he was speaking to himself, in some language 
of his own. 

When he and I were thus employed another horse came up, who applying himself 
first in a very formal manner, they gently struck each other's right hoof before, 
neighing several times by turns, and varying the sound, which seemed to be almost 
articulate. They went some paces off, as if it were to confer together, walking side 
by side, backward and forward, like persons deliberating upon some affair of weight, 
but often turning their eyes toward me, as if it were to watch that I might not 
escape. I was amazed to see such actions and behavior in brute beasts, and con- 
cluded with myself that if the inhabitants of this country were endowed with a pro- 
portionable degree of reason, they must needs be the wisest people upon earth. This 
thought gave ine so much comfort that I resolved to go forward until I could dis- 
cover some house or village, or meet with any of the natives, leaving the two horses 
to discourse together as they pleased. But the first, who was a dapple gray, observ- 
ing me to steal off, neighed after me in so expressive a tone that I fancied myself to 
understand what he meant; whereupon I turned back and came near him to expect 
his further commands, but concealing my fear as much as I could ; for I began to be 
in some pain how this adventure might terminate; and the reader would easily be- 
lieve I did not much like my present situation. 

The two horses came up close to me, looking with great earnestness upon my face 
and hands. The gray steed rubbed my hat all around with his right fore-hoof, and 
discomposed it so much that I was forced to adjust it better by taking it off and set- 
tling it again; whereat, both he and his companion (who was a brown bay) appeared 
to be much surprised; the latter felt the lappet of my coat, and finding it to hang 
loose about me, they both looked with new signs of wonder. He stroked my right 
hand, seeming to admire the softness and color; but he squeezed it so hard between 
his hoof and pastern that I was forced to roar; after which they both touched me 
with all possible tenderness. They were under great plerplexity about my shoes 
and stockings, which they felt very often, neighing to each other, and using various 
gestures, not unlike those of a philosopher, when he would attempt to solve some 
new and difficult phenomenon. 

Upon the whole, the behavior of these animals was so orderly and rational, so 
acute and judicious, that I at last concluded they must needs be magicians, who had 
thus metamorphosed themselves upon some design, and seeing a stranger in the way 
resolved to divert themselves with him; or perhaps were really amazed at the sight 
of a man so very different from habit, feature and complexion, from those who might 
probably live in so remote a climate. Upon the strength of this reasoning, I ven- 
tured to address them in the following manner: “Gentlemen, if you be conjurors, 
as I have good cause to believe, you can understand any language ; therefore I make 
bold to let your worships know that I am a poor, distressed Englishman, driven by 
my misfortunes upon your coast; and I entreat one of you to let me ride on his 
back, as if he were a real horse, to some house or village whe-re I can be relieved. 
In return of which favor I will make you a present of this knife and bracelet;” 
taking them out of my pocket. The two creatures stood silent while I spoke, seem- 
ing to listen with great attention; and when I had ended, they neighed frequently 
toward each other, as if they were engaged in serious conversation. I plainly ob- 
served that their language expressed the passions very well, and the words might, 
with little pains, be resolved into an alphabet more easily than the Chinese. 

I could frequently distinguish the word Yahoo, which was repeated by each of 
them several times; and although it was impossible for me to conjecture what it 
meant, yet while the two horses were busy in conversation I endeavored to practice 
this word upon my tongue; and as soon as they were silent I boldly pronounced 
Yahoo in a loud voice, imitating at the same time, as near as T could, the neighing 
of a horse; at which they both were visibly surprised, and the gray repeated the 
same word twice, as if he meant to teach the right accent; wherein I spoke after 


94 


GULLIVER’S TRAVELS. 


him as well as I nould, and I found myself to improve perceivably every time, 
though very far from any degree of perfection. Then the bay tried me with a second 
word, much harder to be pronounced; but reducing it to the English orthography, 
may be spelt thus, Houyhnhnm. I did not succeed in this so well as in the former, 
but after two or three further trials I had better fortune; and they both appeared 
amazed at my capacity. 

After some further discourse, which I then conjectured might relate to me, the 
two friends took their leaves, with the same compliment of striking each other’s 
hoof; and the gray made me signs that I should walk before him; wherein I thought 
it prudent to comply till I could find a better director. When I offered to slacken 
my pace he would cry hhuun, hhuun; I guessed his meaning, and gave him to un- 
derstand, as well as I could, “That I was weary, and not able to walk faster; ” upon 
which he would stand awhile to let me rest. 


CHAPTER II. 

The author conducted by a Houyhnhnm to his house— The house described— The author’s recep- 
t on— The food of the Hous hnhnms— The author in distress for want of UKat— Is at iast re- 
lieved— iiis manner of feeding in this country. 

Having traveled about three miles, we came to a long kind of building made of 
timber stuck in the ground and wattled across; the roof was low, and covered with 
straw. I now began to be a little comforted, and took out some toys, which travel- 
ers usually carry for presents to the savage Indians of America, and other parts, in 
hopes the people of the house would be thereby encouraged to receive me kindly. 
The horse made me a sign to go in first; it was a large room, with a smooth clay 
floor, and a rack and manger extending the whole length on one side. There were 
three nags and two mares, not eating, but some of them sitting down upon their 
hams, which I very much wondered at; but w'ondered more to see the rest employed 
in domestic business; these seemed but ordinary cattle; however, this confirmed 
my first opinion, that a people who could so far civilize brute animals, must needs 
excel in wisdom all the nations of the world. The gray came in just after, and 
thereby prevented any ill treatment which the others might have given me. He 
neighed to them several times iu a style of authority, and received answers. 

Beyond this room there were three others, reaching the length of the house, to 
which you passed through three doors, opposite to each other in the manner of a 
vista; we w'ent through the second room toward the third. Here the gray walked 
in first, beckoning me to attend. I waited in the second room, and got ready my 

E resents for the master and mistress of the house; they were two knives, three 
racelets of false pearls, a small looking-glass, and a bead necklace. The horse 
neighed three or four times, and I w aited to hear some answers in a human voice, 
but 1 heard no other returns than in the same dialect, only one or two a little shriller 
than his. I began to think that this house must belong to some person of great note 
among them, because there appeared so much ceremony before I could gain admit- 
tance. But, that a man of quality should be served all by horses, w T as beyond my 
comprehension; I feared my brain was disturbed by my sufferings and misfortunes; 
I roused myself, and looked about me in the room where I was left alone; this was 
furnished like the first, only after a more elegant manner. I rubbed my eyes often, 
but the same objects still occurred. I pinched my arms and sides to awake myself, 
hoping I might be in a dream. I then absolutely concluded, that all these appear- 
ances could be nothing else but necromancy and magic. But I had no time to pursue 
these reflections, for the gray horse came to the door, and made me a sign to follow 
him into the third room, where I saw' a very comely mare, together with a colt and 
foal, sitting on their haunches upon mats of straw, not uuartfully made, and per- 
fectly neat and clean. 

The mare soon after my entrance rose from her mat, and coming up close, after 
having nicely observed my hands and face, gave me a most contemptuous look; and 
turning to the horse, I heard the word Yahoo often repeated betwixt them; the 
meaning of which word I could not then comprehend, although it was the first I 
had learned to pronounce; but I was soon better informed, to my everlasting morti- 


A VOYAGE TO THE COT7NTRY OP THE HOUYHNUNMS. 


95 


fication, for the horse, beckoning to me with his head, and repeating the hhuun , 
nJiuim, as he did upon the road, which I understood was to attend him, led me out 
into a kind of court, where was another building at some distance from the house. 
Here we entered, and I saw three of those detestable creatures which I first met 
•after my landing, feeding upon roots and the flesh of some animals, whioh I after- 
ward found to be that of asses and dogs, and now and then a cow, dead by accident 
or disease. They were all tied by the neck with strong withes fastened to a beam; 
they held their food between tne claws of their fore-feet, and tore it with their 
teeth. 

The master horse ordered a sorrel nag, one of his servants, to untie the largest of 
those animals and take him into the yard. The beast and 1 were brou-ht close to- 
gether, and our countenances diligently compared by boih master and servant, who 
thereupon repeated several times the word Yahoo. My horror and astonishment are 
not to be described when I observed, in this abominable animal, a perfect human 
figure; the face of it indeed was flat and broad, the nose depressed, the lips 
large, and the mouth wide; but the differences are common to all savage nations, 
where the lineaments of the countenance are distorted by the natives sufiering their 
infants to lie groveling on the earth, or by carrying them on their backs, nuzzling 
with their face against the mother’s shoulders. The fore-feet of the Yahoo differed 
from my hands in nothing else but the length of the nails, the coarseness and brown- 
ness of the palms, and the hairiness on the backs. There was the same resemblance 
between our feet, with the same differences— which I knew very well, though the 
horses did not, because of my shoes and stookings — the same in every part of our 
bodies except as to hariness and color, which I have already described. 

The great difficulty that seemed to stick with the two horses was to see the rest of 
my boay so very different from that of a Yahoo, for which I was obliged to my 
clothes whereof they had no conception. The sorrel nag offered me a root, which he 
held (after their manner, as we shad describe in its proper place) between his hoof 
and pastern I took it in my hand, and, having smelt it, returned it to him again as 
civilly as I could. He brought out of the Yahoo’s kennel a piece of ass’s flesh, but 
it smelt so offens vely that I turned from it with a loathing; be then threw it to the 
Yahoo, by whom it was greedily devoured. He afterward showed me a wisp of hay 
and a fetlock fu*l of oats; but I shook my head, to signify that neither of these were 
food for me. And, indeed, I now apprehended that I must absolutely starve if I did 
not g' J t to some of my own species; for as 10 those filthy Yahoos, although there 
were few greater lovers of mankind at that t mo than myself, yet I ponfess I never 
saw any sensitive being so detectable on all accoun's; and the more I came near 
them the more hateful they grew, while I stayed in that country. This the master 
horse observed by my behavior, and therefore sent the Yahoo back to his kennel. 
He then put his fore-noof to his mouth, at which I was much surprised— although he 
did it with ease and with a motion that appeared perfectly natural — and made other 
signs to know what I would cat; but I could not reiurn such an answer as he was 
able to comprehend, and, if he had understood me, 1 did not see how it was possible 
to oontrive any way for finding myself nourishment. While we were thus engaged 
I observed a cow passing by, whereupon I pointed to her and expressed a desire to 
go and milk her. This had its effect; for he led me back into the house and ordered 
a mare-servant to open a room, where a good store of milk lav in earthen and 
wooden vessels, after a very orderly a id cleanly manner. She gave me a large bowl- 
ful. of which I drank verv heartily and found my elf well refreshed. 

About noon I saw. coming toward the house, a kind of vehicle drawn like a sledge by 
four Ya ioos. There was in it an old steed, who seemed to be of quality ; he alighted 
with his hind feet forward, having by accident got a hurt in his left fore-loot. He came 
to dine with our horse, who received him with great civility. They dined in the 
best room and had oats boiled in milk for the second course, which the old horse ate 
warm but the rest cold. Their mangers were placed circular in the middle of the 
room and divided into several partitions, around which they sat on their haunches 
upon bo-ses of straw. In tne middle was a large rack, with angles answering to 
every partition of the manger; so that each horse and mare ate their own hay and 
their own mash of oats and milk with much decency and regularity. The behavior 
of uhe young colt and foal appeared very modest, and that ot the master and mistress 
extremely cheerful and complaisant to their guest. The gray ordered me to stand 
by him, and much discourse passed between him and his Mend eonearning me— as 1 


fie 


GULLIVERS tfiAVfilA 


fonnd by the stranger’s often looking on me and the frequent repetition of the word 
Yahoo. 

I happened to wear my gloves, which the master gray observing, seemed per- 
plexed, discovering signs of wonder what I had done to my fore-tt et; he put his 
hoof three or four times to them, as if he would siguify that I should reduce them to 
their former shape — which 1 presently did; pulling on both my gloves and putting 
them into my pocket. 

This occas oned further talk, and I saw the company were pleased with my behav- 
ior, whereof I soon found the good effects. I was ordered to speak the few words I 
understood, and while they were at dinner the master taught me the names for oats, 
milk, fire, water and some others ; which I could readily pronounce after him, hav- 
ing, from mv youth, a great facility in learning languages. 

When dinner was done the master horse took me aside, and, by signs and words, 
made me understand the concern he was in that I had nothing to eat. Oats in their 
tongue are called hlunnh . This word I pronounced two or three times ; for, although 
I had refused them at first, yet, upon second thoughts, I considered that I could con- 
trive to make of them a kind of bread, which might be sufficient, with milk, to keep 
me alive till I could make my escape to some other country and to creatures of my 
own species. The horse immediately ordered a white mare-servant of his family to 
bring me a good quantity of oats in a sort of wooden tray. These I heated before 
the fire, as well as I could, and rubbed them till the husks came off— which I made a 
shift to winnow from the grain ; I ground and beat then* between two stones, and 
then took water and made them into a paste or cake, which I toasted at the fire and 
ate warm with milk. It was at first a very insipid diet — though common enough in 
many parts of Europe— but grew tolerable by time ; and having been often reduced 
to hard fare in my life, this was not the first experiment I had made how easily 
nature is satisfied. And I cannot but observe that I never had one hour’s sickness 
while I stayed in this island. It is true I sometimes made a shift to catch a rabbit or 
bird, by springes made of Yahoo’s hair, and I often gathered wholesome herbs, which I 
boiled and ate as salads with my bread ; and now and then, for a rarity, I made a little 
butter and drank the whey. I was at first at a great loss for salt, but custom soon 
reconciled me to the want of it ; and I am confident that the frequent use of salt 
among us is an effect of luxury, and was first introduced only as a provocative to 
drink — except where it is necessary for preserving flesh in long voyages, or in places 
remote from great markets — for we observe no animal to be fond of it but man ; and 
as to myself, when I left this country it was a great while before I could endure the 
taste of it iu anything that I ate. 

This is enough to say upon the subject of my diet, wherewith other travelers fill 
their books — as if the reader were personally concerned whether we fare well or ilL 
However, it was necessary to mention this matter, lest the world should think it im- 
possible that I could find sustenance for three years in such a country and among 
such inhabitants. 

When it grew toward evening the master horse ordered a place for me to lodge in; 
it was but six yards from the house, and separated from the stable of the Yahoos. 
Here I got some straw, and, covering myself with my own clothes, slept very 
sound. But I was in a short time better accommodated ; as the reader shall 
know hereafter, when I come to treat more particularly about my way of living. 


CHAPTER III. 

The author studies to learn the language— The Houyhnhnm, his master, assists In teaching him— 
'lhe language descri 1 ed— Several Houyhnlmm* of quality come, out of curiosity, to see the 
author— He gives his master a short account et bis voyage. 

My principal endeavor was to learn the language — which my master (for so I shall 
henceforth call him), and his children, and every servant of his house were desirous 
to teach me ; for they looked upon it as a prodigy that a brute animal should dis- 
cover such marks of a rational creature. I pointed to everything and inquired the 
name of it, whieh 1 wrote down in my journal-book when I was alone, and corrected 


A VOYAGE TO THE COUNTRY OF THE HOUYHNHNMS. i. 0? 


ay bad accent by desiring those of the family to pronounce it often. In this em« 
ployment a sorrel nag, one of the under-servants, was very ready to assist me. 

In speaking they pronounced through the nose and throat, and their language ap- 
proaches nearest to the High-Dutch, or German, of any I hnow in Europe ; but it is 
much more graceful and significant. The Emperor Charles V. made almost the same 
observation, when he said, “ That if he were to speak to his horse it should be in 
High-Dutch.” The curiosity and impatience of my master were so great, that he 
spent many hours of bis leisure to instruct me. He was convinced (as he afterward 
told me) that I must be a Yahoo, but my teachableness, civility and cleanliness as- 
tonished him; which were qualifies alto.ether opposite to those animals. He was 
most perplexed ab >ut my clothes — reasoning sometimes with himselt' whether they 
were a part of my body ; for I never pulled them off till the family were asleep, and 
got them on before they waked in the morning. My master was eager to learn 
** whence I came; how I acquired those appearances of reason which I discovered in 
all my actions, and to know my story lrom ray own mouth; which he hoped he 
should soon do by the great proficiency I made in learning and pronouncing their 
words and sentences.” To help my memory I formed all I learned into the English 
alphabet and wrote the words down, with’ the translations. This last, after some 
time, I ventured to do in my master’s presence. It cost me much trouble to explain 
to him what I was doing; for the inhabitants have not the least idea of books or 
literature 

In about ten weeks’ time I was able to understand most of his questions, and in 
three months could give some tolerable answers. He was extremely curious to know 
“from what part of the country I came, and how I was t usrht to imitate rational 
creatures; because the Yahoos (whom he saw I exactly resembled in my head, hands 
and face, that were on’y visible), with some appearance of cunning and the strongest 
disposition to mischief, were observed to be the most unteachable of all brutes.” I 
answered, “That I came over the sea from a far place, with many others of my own 
kind, in a great, holiow vessel made of the bodies of trees; that mv companions 
forced me to land on this coast, and then left me to shift for myself.” It was with 
some difficulty, and by the help of many signs, that I brought him to understand me. 
He replied, “That I must neeJs be mistaken, or that i said the thing which was 
not ” — for they have no word in their language to express lying or falsehood. “ He 
knew it was imposs ble that there could be a country beyond the sea, or that a parcel 
of brutes could move a wooden vessel whither thev pi ased upon water. He was 
sure no Houyhnhnms alive could make such a vessel, nor could trust Yahoos to man- 
age it.” 

The word Houyhnhnm, in their tongue, signifies ahorse , and, in its etymology, the 
perfection of nature. I told my master that “ I was at a loss for expression, but would 
improve as fast as I could and hoped in a short t me I should be able to tell him 
wonders.” He was pleased to direct his own mare, his colt and foal and the serv- 
ants of the family to take all opportunities of instructing me; and every d iy, for two 
or three hours he was at the same pains nrmself. Several horses and mares of qual- 
ity in the neighborhood came often to our house, upon the report spread of “a won- 
derful Yahoo, that could speak like a Houylmanm, and seemed, in his words and 
actions, to discover some glimmerings of reason.” These delighted to converse with 
me; they put many questions, and received such answers as I was able to return. 
By all these ad antag.s I made so great a progress, that, in five months from my 
arrival, I understood whatever was spoken, and could express myself tolerably 
well. 

The Houyhnhnms, who came to visit my master out of a design of seeing and talk- 
ing with me, could hardly believe me to be a right Yahoo, because my body had a 
different covering from others of my kind. They were astonished to observe me 
without the usual hair or skin, except on my head, face and hands; but I discovered 
that secret to my master upon an accident which happened about a fortnight be- 
fore. 

I have already told the reader that every night, when the family were gone to bed, 
it was mv custom to strip and cover myself with my clothes. It happened, one 
morning ea>ly, that my master sent for me by the rorrel nag, who was his valet; 
when he came I was fast asleep, and my clothes fallen ofi on one side. I awaked at 
the noise he made, and observed him to deliver his message in some disorder ; after 
which he went to my master, and in a great fright gave him a very confused account 


98 


flrtJLLIYEK’s TRAVELS, 


of what he had Been. This I presently discovered ; for, going as soon ns T was dressed 
to pay my attend lice upon his honor, he a^ked me “the meaning of what, his s< rv- 
ant had reported, that 1 was not the same tiling when I slept as I appeared to be at 
other times; that his valet assured him some part of me was white, some yellow — at 
least not so white — and some brown/’ 

1 had h therto concealed the secret of mv dress, in order to distinguish myself, as 
much as possible, from that cursed race of Yahoos ; but now i found it in vain to do 
so any longer. Besid. s, I considered that my clothes and shoes would soon wear 
out, which already were in a declining condition, and must be supplied by some 
contrivance from the hides of Yahoos or other biutes; whereby the whole secret 
would be known. I therefore told my master, “That in the country whence I came 
those of my kind always covered their bodies with hairs of certain animals prepared 



mteht do ns I pleased.” Whereupon I first unbuttoned my coat and pulled it off. 
I did the same with my waistcoat and the rest of my clothes. 

My master observed the whole performance with great signs of curiosity and ad- 
miration. He took up all my clothes in his pastern, one piece after another, and 
examined them diligently; he then stroked my body very gently and looked around 
me several times; alter which he sai l it was plain I must be a perfect Yahoo, but 
that I differed very much from the rest of my species in the softn ;«s, whiteness and 
smoothness of my skin; the shape and shortness of my claws behind and before, and 
ray affectation of walking continu lly on my two hinder feet. He gave me leave to 
put on my clothes again — for I was shuddering with cold. 

I expreV-e 1 my uneasiness at his giving me so often the appellation of Yahoo — an 
odious anima', for which I had so utter a hatred and contempt. I betrged he would 
forbear apply ng that word to me, and make the same order in his family and among 
his friends whom he suffered to see me. I requested likewise, “That the secret of 
my having a false covering to my body might be known to none but himself— at 
least as long as my present clothing should last; for, as to what the sorrel nag, his 
valet, had observed, his honor might command him to conceal it.” 

All this my master very graciously consented to, and thus the secret was kept till 
my clothes began to wear out, which 1 was forced to supply by several contrivances 
that shall hereafter be mentioned. In the meantime he desired “ I would go on with 
my utmost diligence to leant their language, because he w ts more astonished at my 
capacity fur speech and reason th in at the figure of my body, whether it was covered 
or not; ” adding “that he waited with some impatience to hear the wonders which I 
promised to tell him.” 

Thenceforward he doub’ed the pains he had been at to instruct me; he brought 
me in to all company, and made them treat me with civility ; “ because,” as he told 
them privately, “ this would put me into good humor, and make me more divert- 
ing.” 

Every day, when I waited on him, beside the trouble be was at in teaching, he 
would ask me several questions concerning myself, which I would answer as well as 
I could; and by these means he had already received some general ideas, though 
very imperfect It would be tedious to relate the several steps by which I advanced 
to a more regular conversation; but the first account I gave of myself in any order 
and length was to this purpose: 

“That 1 came from a very far country, as I already had attempted to tell him 
with about fitty more of my own species; that we traveled upon the seas in a great! 
hollow vessel made of wood, and larger than his honor’s house. I described the 
ship to him in the best terms I could, and explained, by the heip of my handker- 
chief displayed, how it was driven forward by the wind. That upon a quarrel 
among us, I was set on shore on this coast, where I walked forward, without know- 
ing whither, till he delivered me from the persecutions of those execrable Yahoos ” 
He asked me “who made the ship, and how it was possible that the Houyhnhnms of 
my country would leave it to the management of brutes?” My answer was “that 
I durst proceed no further in my relation, unless he would give me his word and 
honor that he would no not be off nded, and then I would tell him the wonders I 
had so often promised.” He agreed, and I went on by assuring him “ that the shin 
was made by creatures like myseif, who, in all the countries I had traveled, as wefi 


X VOYAGE T© THE COUNTRY OF THE HOUYHNHNMS. 


90 


M m my own, were the only governing rational aninia’s ; and that upon my arrival 
hither, I was ns much astonisned to see the Houyimhnms act like rational cres- 
tures, as he or his fr.etiHs could be in finding some murks of reason in a creature lie 
was pleased to call a Y..hoo, to which I owned my resemblance in eveiy part, but 
could not account for their degenerate and brutal nature." 1 s iid further “that if 
good fortune ever restored me to rav native country, to relate my travels liith* as I 
resolved to do, everybody would believe ti.at I s iu the thing that was not that I 
invented the story out of my own head; and (with al possible respect to aimseJf, 
his family, and friends, and under Ins promise of not being oliended) our country- 
men would hardly think it probable that a Houyhuhura should be the piesiding 
creature of a nation, and a Yahoo the brute.” 


CHAPTER IV. 

The Houyhnhnm’s notion of truth and falsehood— The au'hor’s discourse dfsnpprovet by 

his master— The author gives a more pait;cul..r account of himself and the acc.dcms of his 

voyage. 

During my relation my master’s countenance indicated great appearance of un- 
easiness ; because doubting, or not believing, is so little known in this country that 
the inhabitants cannot tell how to behave the m<-e’.ves under such c rcumstai ices; and I 
remember, in fr quent discourses with mymask rconceraingthe nature of manhood n 
other parts of the wor d, having occasion to ta.k of lying and lalsc representation, it 
was with much difficu ty that he compuhended what I meant, although he had other- 
wise a most acuie judgment. For lie argued thus: “ that the use of speech was to 
make us understand one another, and to receive information of facts; now, if any 
one said the thing which was not, these ends were defeated, because I cannot properly 
be said to understand him; and I am so far from receiving information that lie 
leaves me worse than in ignorance, for I am led to believe a thing b ack when it is 
white, and short w. en it is long.” And these were aL the notions he had concern- 
ing that faculty of lying so perfectly well understood and so universally practiced 
among human creatures. 

To return from this digression. When I asserted that the Yahoos were the only 
governing animals in my country, which my m ister said was altogether past his con- 
ception, he desired to know “whether we had Houylinlinms among us, and what 
was their employment; ” I told him “we had great numbers; that in summer they 
grazed in the fields, and in winter were kept in houses with hay and oats, where Ya- 
hoo servants were employed to rub their s.uns smooth, comb tneir manes, pick their 
feet, serve them with food, and make their beds.” “1 understand you well,” said 
my master ; “ it is now very plain, from all you have spoken, that whatever share of 
reason you Yahoos pretend to, the Houylinhnms are your masters; I heartily wish 
our Yahoos would be so tractable.” I begged “h.s honor would please to excuse 
me from proceeding any further, because 1 was very certain that the account he ex- 
pected from me would be highly displeasing.” But he insisted in commanding me 
to let him know the best and the worst. I told him “he should be obeyed.” I 
owned “that the Houyhnhnms among us, whom we called horses, were the most 
generous and comely animals we had ; that they excelled in strenegh and swiftness ; 
and when they belonged to persons of quality, were employed in traveling, racing 
or drawing chariots; they were treated with much kindness and care till they fell 
into diseases or became foundered in the feet ; but then they were sold, and used to 
all kinds of drudeery till they died; alter which their skins were stripped and sold 
for what they were worth, anti their bodies lei t to be devoured by dogs and birds of 
prey. But the common race of horses had not so good fortune, being kept by farm- 
ers and carriers and other mean people, who put them to greater labor, and fed them 
worse.” I described, as well as i could, our way of riding; the shape and use of a 
bridle, a saddle, a spur, and a whip; of harness and wheels. 1 added “ that we fas- 
tened plates of a certain hard substance, called iron, at the^ottonis of their fe£t, to 
preserve their hoofs from being broken by the stony ways on which we often trav- 
eled.” 

My master, after some expressions of great indignation, wondered “ how we dared 


GULLIVER’S TRAVELS. 


100 

venture upon a Houyhnhnm’s back; for he was sure that the weakest servant in his 
house would be able to shake off the strongest Yahoo ; or by lying down and rolling 
on his back, squeeze the brute to death.” I answered “ that our horses were trained 
up, from three or four years old, to the several uses we intended them for; that if 
any of them proved intolerably vicious they were employed for carriages; that they 
were severely beaten while they were young for any mischievous tricks ; that they 
were indeed sensible of rewards and punishments; but his honor would please to 
consider that they had not the least tincture of reason, any more than the Yahoos 
in this country;” 

It put me to the pains of many circumlocutions to give my master a right idea of 
what I spoke, for their language does not abound in variety of words, because their 
wants and passions are fewer than among us. But it is impossible to express his 
noble resentment at our savage treatment of the Houyhnhnm race. He said “ if 
it were possible there could be any country where Yahoos alone were endued with 
reason, they certainly must be the govern ng animal, because reason in them will ah 
ways prevail against brutal strength. But, considering the frame of our bodies, and 
especially of mine, he thought no creature of equal bulk was so ill-contrived for em- 
ploying that reason in the common offices of life; ” whereupon he desired to know 
“ whether those among whom I lived resembled me or the Yahoos of this country?” 
I assured him “ that I was as well shaped as most of my age, but the younger and 
the females were much more soft and tender, and the skins of the latter generally 
as white as milk.” He said “I differed indeed from other Yahoos, bein;/ much 
more cleanly, and not altogether so deformed ; but in point of real advan tage he 
thought I differed for the worse; that ray nails were of no use either to mj Cjre or 
hinder feet; as to my fore-feet, he could not properly ca'l them by that nam/\ for he 
never observed me to walk upon them ; that they were too soft to bear the ground; 
that I generally went with them uncovered ; neither was the covering I sometimes 
wore on them of the same shape, or so strong as that on my feet behind; that I 
could not walk with any security, for if either of my hinder f et slipped I must in- 
evitably fall.” He then began to find fault with other parts of my body; the flat* 
ness of my face, the prominence of my nose, mine eyes placed directly in front, so 
that I could not look on either side without turning my head; that I was not able to 
feed myself without lifting one of my fore-feet to my mouth, and therefore nature 
had placed those joints to answer that necessity. He knew not what could be the 
use of those several clefts and divisions in my feet behind, that these were too soft 
to bear the hardness and sharpness of stones, without a covering made from the 
skin of some other brute; that my whole body wanted a fence against heat and cold, 
which I was forced to put on and off every day with tediousness and trouble; and lastly 
that he observed every animal in this country naturally to abhor the Yahoos, whom 
the weaker avoided, and the stronger drove from them; so that, supposing us to have 
the gift of reason, he could not see how it were possible to cure that natural antipa- 
thy which every creature discovered against us ; nor consequently how we could 
tame and render them serviceable. However, “ he would,” as he said, “ debate the 
matter no further, because he was more desirous to know my own story, the country 
where I was born, and the several actions and events of my life before I came 
hither.” 

I assured him “ how extremely desirous I was that he should be satisfied on every 
point; but 1 doubted much whether it would be possible for me to explain myself 
on several subjects whereof his honor could have no conception, because I saw 
nothing in his country to which I could resemble them; that, however, I would 
do my best, and strive to express myself by similitudes, humbly desiring his as- 
sistance when I wanted proper words,” which he was pleased to promise me. 

I said “my birth was of honest parents, in an island called England, which w as re- 
mote from his country, as many days’ journey as the strongest of his honor’/, serv- 
ants could travel in the annual course of the sun; that I was bred a surgeon, whose 
trade it was to cure wounds and hurts in the body gotten by accident or violence; 
that my country was governed by a female-man, whom we call queen ; that I Wt it to 
g"t riches, whereby I might maintain myself and family when I should retun* ; that 
in my last voyage I was commander of the ship, and had about fifty Yahoos under 
me, many of which died at sea, and I was forced to supply them by others picked 
out from several nations; that our ship was twice in danger of being sunk, the first 
time by a great storm, and the second by striking against a rock.” Here my master 


A VOYAGE TO THE COUNTRY OF THE HOUYHNHNMS. 


101 


interposed by asking me “how I could persuade strangers out of different countries 
to venture with me, after the losses 1 had sustained and the hazards I had run.” I 
said “they were fellows or desperate fortunes, forced to fly from the places of their 
birth on account of their poverty or their crimes. Some were undone by lawsuits; 
others spent all they had in drinking and gaming; others fled for treason; many for 
murder, theft, poisoning, robbery, perjury, forgery, coining false money; for flying 
from their colors, or deserting to the enemy; and most of them had broken prison; 
none of them durst return to their native countries for fear of being hanged, or of 
starviijg in a jail; and therefore they were under the necessity of seeking a liveli- 
hood in other places.” 

During this discourse mv master was pleased to interrupt me several times. I had 
made use of many circumlocutions in describing to him the nature of the several 
crimes for which most of our crew had been forced to fly their country. This labor 
took up several days’ conversation before he was able to comprehend me. He was 
whcU/ at a loss to know what could be the use or necessity of practicing those vices. 
To clear up which, I endeavored to give some ideas of the desire of power and riches; 
of the terrible effects of lust, intemperance, malice and envy. All this I was forced 
to define and describe by putting cases, and making suppositions. After which, like 
one whose imagination was struck with something never seen or heard of before, ho 
wouhl lilt up his eyes with amazement and indignation. Power, government, w r ar, 
law, • unishment, and a thousand other things had no terms wherein that language 
coula express hem, which made the difficulty almost in operable to give ray master 
any concept. on of what I meant. But being of an excellent understanding, much 
improved by contemplation and converse, he at last arrived at a competent knowl- 
edge of what human nature in our parts of the world is capable to perform; and de- 
sired I would give him some particular account of that land which we call Europe, 
but especially of my own country. 


CHAPTER V. 

The author, at his master’s command, informs him of the state of England— The causes of war 
among the princes of Europe — The author begins to explain the Engish Constitution. 

The reader may please to observe that the following extract of many conversa- 
tions I had with my master contains a summary of the most material points which 
were discoursed at several times for above two years, his honor often desiring fuller 
satisfaction as I further improved in the Houyhnhnm tongue. I laid before him, as 
well as I could, the whole state of Europe; I discoursed of trade and manufactures, 
of arts and sciences; and the answers I gave to all the questions he made, as they 
arose upon several subjects, were a fund of conversation not to be exhausted. But 
I shall here only set dow T n the substance of what passed between us concerning my 
own country, reducing it in order as well as I can, without any regard to time or 
other circumstances, while 7 . strictly adhere to truth. My only concern is that I 
shall hardly be able to do justice to my master’s arguments and expressions, which 
must needs suffer by my want of capacity, as well as by a translation into our bar- 
barous English. 

In obedience therefore to his honor’s commands, I related to him the revolution 
under the Prince of Orange; the long war with France, entered into by the said 
prince, and renewed by his successor, the present queen, wherein the greatest 
powers in Christendom were engaged, and which still continued; I computed, at his 
request, “That about a million Yahoos might have been killed in the whole progress 
of it, and perhaps a hundred or more cities taken, and five times as many ships 
burnt or sunk.” 

He asked me, “What were the usual causes or motives that made one country go 
to war with another?” I answered, “They were innumerable, but I should onlv 
mention a few of the chief. Sometimes the ambition of princes, who never think 
they have land or people enough to govern; sometimes the corruption of ministers, 
who engage their master in a war in order to stifle or divert the clamor of the sub- 
jects against their evil administration. Difference in opinion has cost many millions 
of live*— for instance, whether fleah be bread, or bread be flesh; whether the juice 


102 


gwllivee’s travels. 


of a certain berry be blood or wine; whether whistling be a vice or a virtue; 
whether it be better to kiss a post or throw it into the fire; what is the best color for 
a coat — whether black, white, red, or gray — and whether it should be long or short, 
narrow or wide, dirty or clean, with many more. Neither are any wa:s so furious 
and bloody, or of so long continuance, as those occasioned by diflerence of opinion, 
especially if it be in things indifferent. ■ 

“Sometimes the quarrel between two princes is to decide which of them shall dis- 
possess a third of his dominions, where neither of them pretend to any right; some- 
times one prince quarrels with another, tor fear the other should quarrel with him; 
sometimes a war is entered upon because the enemy is too strong, and sometimes 
because he is too weak; sometimes our neighbors want the things wnich we have, or 
have the things which we want, and we both fight, till they take ours or give us 
theirs. It is a very justifiable cause of war to invade a country after the people 
have been wasted by famine, destroyed by pestilence, or embroiled by factions 
among themselves. It is justifi <ble to enter into war against our nearest ally, when 
one of his towns lies convenient for us, or a territory of land that would render our 
dominions round and compact, if a prince sends forces into a nation where the 
people are poor and ignorant, he may lawfully put half of them to death and make 
slaves of the rest, in order to civilize and reduce them from their barbarous way of 
living. It is a very kingly, honorable and frequent practice, when one prince desires 
the assistance of another, to secure him against an invasion, that the assistant, when 
he has driven out the i vader, should seize on the dominions himself and kill, imprison 
or banish the prince he came to reliev •• Alliance by blood, or marriage, is a fre- 
quent cause of war between pr.nces, and the nearer the kindred is the greater their 
disposition is to quarrel; poor nations are hungry, and rich nations are proujl — and 
pride and hunger will ever be at vari nice. For these reasons, the trade of a 'soldier 
is held the most honorable of all o hois, because a soldier is a Yahoo hired to kill, 
in cold blood, as many of his own spoc.es — who have never offended li.m — as he 
possibly can. 

“Tnere is likewise a kind of bogg rly princes in Europe not able to make war by 
themselves, who hire out their t.oops 10 ric.n r nations torso much a day to each 
man; of which they keep th ee-fourths to themselves, and it is the best part of the.r 
maintenance; such are those in many northern parts of Europe.” 

“ Wiuit you have told me,” sa d my m ister, “ upon t. e subject of war, does indeed 
discover most adm rably the effects of that reason you pretend to; however, it is 
luippy that the shame is greater than he danger, and* that i a u;e h is left you utterly 
incapable of doing much mi c.iief. For, your moutns lying flat w th your faces, you 
can hardly bite each otuer to any purpose, unless by consent. Then'as to the claws 
upon your feet, before and beh.nd, they are so short and tender that one of our 
Yahoos would drive a dozen of yours before him. And therefore, in recounting 
the numbers of those who had been killed in battle, I cannot but think you have 
said the thing which is not” 

I coul i no. forbear snaking my head and smiling a little at his ignorance. And 
being no stranger to the art of war I gave him a description of cannons, culverins, 
muskets, carbines, pistols, bullets, powder, swords, b yonets, battles, seiges, re- 
treats, attacks, undermines, countermines, bombardments, sea-fights, ships sunk 
with a thousand men, twenty thousand killed on each s de, dying groans, limbs fly- 
ing in the air, smoke, noise, confusion, trampling to death turner horses’ feet, flight, 
pursuit, vic.ory; fields strewed with carcasses left for food for dogs, and wolves, and 
birds of prey; plundering, stripping, burning and destroying. And to set forth the 
valor of my own dear countrymen, I assured him, “That I had seen them blow up a 
hundred enemies at once in a siege, and as many in a ship; and beheld the dead 
bodies drop down in pieces from the clouds, to the great divers. on of the spectators.” 

I was going on to more particulars, when my master commanded me silence. He 
said, “ Whoever understood the na ure of Yahoos might easily believe it possible for 
so vile an animal to be c ipable of every action I had named, if their strength and cun- 
ning equaled their malice. But as my discourse hud increased his abhorence of the 
whole species, so he found it gave him a d sturbanre in his mind, to which he was 
wholly a stranger before. He thought his ears, being used to such abominable 
words, might, bv degrees, admit them with less detestation ; that although he hated 
the Yahoos of this country, yet he no more blamed them for their odious qualities 
than he d d a gnnayh (a bird of prey) for its cruelty, or a sharp stone for cutting his 


A VOYAGE TO THE COUNTRY OF THE HOUYHNHNMS. 


108 


hoof. Bnt, when a creature pretending to reason could be capable of such enormi- 
ties, he dreaded lest the corruption of that faculty might be worse than brutality it- 
self. He seemed therefore confident that, instead of reason, we were onlv pos- 
sessed of some quality fitted to increase our natural vices; as the reflection from a 
troubled streamreturns the image of an iil-shapen body, not only larger but more 
distorted.” 

He added, “That he had heard too much upon th? subject of war, both in this and 
some former discourses. There was another point which a little perplexed him at 

E resent. . I had informed him that some of our crew left their country on account of 
eing ruined by law; that I had already explained the meaning of the word, but he 
was at a loss how it should come to pass that the law, which was intend- 
ed for every man’s preservation, should be any man’s ruin. Therefore he desired 
to be further satisfied what I meant by law, and the dispensers thereof, according to 
the present practice in my own country; because he thought nature and reason 
were sufficient guides for a reasonable animal as we pretended to be, in showing us 
what we ought to do and what to avoid.” 

I assured his honor, “That law was a science, in which I had not much conversed 
further than by employing advocates in vain upon some injustices that had been 
done me; however, I would give him all the satisfaction I was able.” 

I said, “There was a society of nu n among us, bred up from their youth in the art 
of proving, by words multiplied for their purpose, that white is black, and black is 
white, according as they are paid. To this society all the rest of the people are 
slaves. For example, if my neighbor has a mind to my cow, he has a lawyer to 
prove that he ought to have my cow from me. I must then hire another to de- 
fend my right, it being against ail rules of law that any man should be allowed to 
speak for himself. Now, in this case, I, who am the right owner, lie under two 
great disadvantages; first, my lawyer, being practiced almost from his cradle in 
defending falsehood, is quite out of his element when he would be an advocate for 
justice, which is an unnatural office he always attempts with great awkwardness, if 
not with ill-will. The sec nd disadvantage is, that my lawyer must proceed with 
great caution, or else he will be reprimanded by the judges and abhorred by his 
brethren as one that would lessen the practice of the law. And therefore I have but 
two methods to preserve my cow. The first is, to gain over my adversary’s lawyer 
with a double fee, who will tnen betray his client by insinuating that he has justice 
on his side. Th j second way is for my lawyer to make my cause appear as unjust as 
he can, by allowing the cow to belong to my adversary; and this, it it be skillfully 
done, will certainly bespeak the favor of the bench. Now, your honoris to know 
that these judges are persons appointed to decide all controversies of property, as 
well as for the tiials of criminals, and picked out from the most dexterous law yi rs, 
who have grown oid or lazy; and having been biased all their lives against truth and 
equity, lie under such a fatil necessity of favoring fraud, perjury and oppression, 
tha r 1 have known some of th m refuse a large bribe from the side where justice 
lay rather than injure the faculty by doing anything unbecoming their nature or 
their office. 

“It is a maxim among these lawyers, that whatever has been done before may 
legally be done again; and therefore they take special care to record a:l the deci- 
sions formerly made agi.nst common justice, and the general reason of 
mankind. These, under the name of precedents, they produce as authorities to 
justify the most iniquitous opinions; and the judges never fail of directing 
accordingly. 

“ In pleading, they studious'v avoid entering into the merits of the cause; but are 
loud, violent and tedious in dwelling upon all circumstmces which are not to the 
purpose. For in t nice, in the ca^e already mentioned, they never desire to know 
what claim or t.t’e my adversary has to my cow, but whether the said cow was red 
or block; her horns long or short; whether the field 1 gr ze her in be round or 
square; whether she was milked at home or abroad; whatd seases she is subject to, 
and the like; aft r which they consult precedents, adjourn the cause from time to 
time, and in ten, twenty, or thirty yea’s, come to an issue. 

“It is likewise to be observed, that this society lias a peculiar cant and jnreon of 
their own, that no other mortal can understand, and wherein all their laws are writ- 
ten, which they tike special care to multiply; whereby they have wholly confound- 
ed the very essence of truth and falsehood, of right and wrong; so that it will take 


104 - GULLIVER’S TRAVELS. •• v •. •* ~ rtJ - 

thirty years to decide whether the field, left me by my ancestors for six generations, 
belongs to me or to a stranger three hundred miles off. , 

“In the trials of persons accused for crimes against the state, the method is much 
more short and commendable; the judge first sends to sound the dispositions of 
those in power, after which he can easily hang or save a criminal, strictly preserving 
ail due forms of law.” 

Here my master interposing, said, “It was a pity that creatures endowed with such 
prodigious abilities of mind, as these lawyers by the description I gave of them must 
certainly be, were not rather encouraged to be instructors of others in wisdom and 
knowledge.” In answer to which I assured his honor, “That in all points out of 
their own trade they were usually the most ignorant and stupid generation among 
us; the most despicable in common conversation, avowed enemies to all knowledge 
and learning, and equally disposed to pervert the general reason of mankind, m 
every other subject of discourse, as in that of their own profession.” 


CHAPTER VI. 

A continuation of the state of England under Queen Anne— The charaoter of a first minister of 
state in European courts. 

My master was yet wholly at a loss to understand what motives could incite this 
race of lawyers to perplex, disquiet and weary themselves, and engage in a confed- 
eracy of injustice, merely for the sake of injuring their fellow-animals; neither 
could he comprehend what I meant in saying they did it for hire. Whereupon I 
was at much pains to describe to him the use of money, the materials it was made 
of, ami the value of the metals ; “that when a Yahoo had got a great store of this 
precious substance, he was able to purchase whatever he had a mind to — the finest 
clothing, the noblest houses, great tracts of land, the most costly meats and drinks, 
and have his choice of the most beautiful females. Therefore, since money alone 
was able to perform all these feats, our Yahoos thought they could never have 
enough of it to spend, or to save, as they found themselves inclined, from their 
natural bent, either to profusion or avarice. That the rich man enjoyed the fruit of 
the poor man’s labor, and the latter were a thousand to one in proportion to the 
former. That the bulk of our people were forced to live verv miserably, by labor- 
ing every day for small wages, to make a few live plentifully.” 

I enlarged myself much on these and many other particulars to the same 
purpose; but his honor was still to seek, lor he went upon a supposition that all 
animals had a title to their share in the productions ot the earth, and especially 
those who presided over the rest. Therefore he desired I would let him know. 
“What these costly meats were, and how any of us happened to want them?” 
Whereupon I enumerated as many sorts as came into my head, with the various 
methods of dressing them, which could not be done without sending vessels by sea 
to every part of the world, as well for liquors to drink as for sauces and innumera- 
ble other conveniences. I assured him, “ That this whole globe of earth must be at 
least three times gone around before one of our better female Yahoos could get her 
breakfast, or a cup to put it in.” He said, “That must needs be a miserable country 
which c innot furnish food for its own inhabitants.” But what he chiefly wondered 
at was, “How such vast tracts of ground as I described should be wholly without 
fresh water, and the people put to the necessity of sending over the sea for drink.” 
I replied, “That England (the dear place of my nativity) was computed to produce 
three times the quantity of food more than its inhabitants are able to consume, as 
well as liquors extracted from grain or pressed out of the fruits of certain trees, 
which made excellent drink; and the same proportion in every other convenience 
of life. But, in order to feed the luxury and intemperance of the males and the 
vanity of the females, we sent away the greatest part of our necessary things to other 
countries, whence in return we brought the materials for diseases, folly and vice to 
spend among ourselves Hence it follows of necessity that vast numbers of our 
people are compelled to seek their livelihood by begging, robbing, stealing, cheat- 
ing, flattering, suborning, forswearing, forging, gaming, lying, fawning, hectoring, 
voting, scribbling, star-gazing, poisoning, canting, libelling, free-thinking, and the 


A VOYAGE TO THE COTTHTEY OP THE H OTTYHTf HNMS. 


105 


like occupations; ” every one of which terms I was at much pains to make him un* 
derstand. 

‘‘That wine was not imported among us from foreign countries to supply the want 
of water or other drinks, but because it was a sort of liquid which made us merry by 
putting us out of our senses, diverted all melancholy thoughts, begat wild, extrav- 
agant imaginations in the brain, raised our hopes and banished our fears, suspended 
every office of reason for a time and deprived us of the use of our limbs, till we fell 
into a profound sleep; although it must be confessed that we always awaked sick or 
dispirited, and that the use of this liquor ailed us with diseases which made our 
lives uncomfortable and short. 

“But, beside all this, the bulk of our people supported themselves by furnishing 
the necessities or conveniences of life to the rich and to each other. For instance: 
when I am at home, and dressed as I ought to be, I carry on my body the workman- 
ship of a hundred tradesmen; the building and furniture of my house employing as 
many more, and five times the number to adorn my wife.” 

I was going on to tell him of another sort of people who get their livelihood by 
attending the sick — having, upon some occasions, informed his honor that many of 
my crew had died of diseases — but here it was with the utmost difficulty that I 
brought him to apprehend what I meant. “He could easily conceive that a 
Houyhnhnm grew weak and heavy a few days before his death, or by some accident 
might hurt a limb; but that nature, who works all things to perfection, should suffer 
any pains to breed in our bodies he thought impossible, and desired to know the 
reason of so unaccountable an evil.” 

I told him “we fed on a thousand things which operated contrary to each other; 
that we eat when we are not hungry and drank without the provocation of thirst; 
that we sat whole nights drinking strong liquors, without eating a bit, which dis- 
posed us to sloth, inflamed our bodies and precipitated or prevented digestion. That 
diseases were propagated from father to son — so that great numbers came into the 
world with complicated maladies upon them ; that it would be endless to give him a 
catalogue of all diseases incident to human bodies, for they would not be fewer than 
five or six hundred, spread over every limb and joint; in short, every part — external 
and intestine — having diseases appropriated to itself. To remedy which there was a 
sort of people bred up among us in the profession, or pretense/of curing the sick. 
And because I had some skill in the faculty I would, in gratitude to his honor, let 
him know the whole mystery and method by which they proceed. 

“Beside real diseases we are subject to many that are only imaginary, for which 
the physicians have invented imaginary cures; these have their several names, and 
so lave the drugs that are proper for them — and with these our female Yahoos are 
always infested. 

“One great excellency in this tribe is their skill in prognostics, wherein they sel- 
dom i.'.il; their predictions in real diseases, when they rise to any degree of malig- 
nity, generally portending death — which is always in their power* when recovery is 
not; and, therefore, upon any unexpected signs of amendment, after they pro- 
nounced their sentence, rather than be accused as false prophets, they know bow to 
approve their sagacity to the world by a seasonable dose. 

“They are likewise of special use to husbands who are grown weary of their mates, 
to eldest sons, to great ministers of state and often to princes.” 

I had formerly, upon occasions, discoursed with my master upon the nature of 
government in general, and particularly of our own excellent constitution — deserv- 
edly the wonder and envy of the whole world — but h ving here accidentally men- 
tioned a minister of state, he commanded me some time after to inform him what 
species of Yahoo I particularly meant by that appellation. 

“I told him “that a first, orchief minister of state — who was the person I intended 
to describe— was a creature wholly exempt from joy and grief, love and hatred, pity 
and anger; at least he makes use of no other passions but a violent desire of wealth, 
power and titles; that he applies his word to all uses, except to the indication of his 
mind; that he never tells a truth but with an intent that you should take it for a lie, 
nor a lie but with a design that you should take it for a truth; that those he speaks 
worst of behind their backs are in the surest way of preferment, and whenever he 
begins to praise you to others, or to yourself, you are from that day forlorn. The 
worst mark you can receive is a promise— especially when it is confirmed with at* 
oath; after which every wise man retires and gives over all hopes. 


GTJXLIVER'S TRAVELS. 


ioe 


“ There are three methods by which a man may rise to be chief minister. The first 
is, by female influence; the second, by betraying or undermining his predecessors: 
and the third is, by a furious zeal, in public assemblies, against the corruptions of 
the court. But a wise prince would rather choose to employ those who practise the 
last of these methods, because such zealots prove always the most obsequious and 
subservient to the will and pass ons of their master. That these ministers, having 
all employments at their disposal, preserve themselves in power bv bribing the ma- 
jority of a senate or great council, and at last— by an expedient called an act of in- 
demnity (whereof I described the nature to him) — they secure themselves from 
after-reckonings and retire from the public laden with spoils of the nation. 

“ The palace of a chief minister is a seminary to breed up others in his own trade; 
the pages, lackeys and porter, by imitating their master, become ministers of state 
In their several districts, and learn to excel in the three principal ingredients of in- 
solence, lying and bribery. Accordingly, they have a subaltern court paid to them 
by persons of the best rank ; and sometimes— by the force of dexterity and impu- 
dence — arrive, through several gradations, to be successors to their lord. 

“ He is usually governed by a secret iriend or favorite footman, who are the tun- 
nels through which all ...races are conveyed, and may properly be called, in the last 
resort, the governors ot'the kingdom.” 

One day, in discourse, my master — having heard me mention the nobility of my 
country— was pleased to make me a compliment which I could not pretend to de- 
serve: “That he was sure I must have been born of some noble family, because I 
far exceeded, in shape, color and cleanliness, all the Yahoos of his nation — although 
I seemed to fail in strength and agility, which rau-t be imputed to my different way 
of living from those other brutes; and beside, 1 was not only endowed with the 
faculty of speech but likewise some rudiments of reason, to a degree that with all his 
acquaintance i passed for a prodigy.” 

He made me observe “ that among the Houylmhnms the white, the sorrel and the 
iron-grav were not so exactly shaped as the bay, the dapple-gray and the black, nor 
born with equal talents of mind or a capacity to improve them ; and therefore con- 
tinued always in the condition of servants, without ever aspiring to match out 
of their own race— which in that country would be reckoned monstrous and un- 
natural.” 

I made his honor the most humble acknowledgments for the good opinion he was 
pleased to conceive of me, but assured him, at the same time, that my birth was of 
the lower sort — having been born of plain, honest parents, who were just able to give 
me a tolerable education; that nobility, among us, was altogether a different 
thing from the idea he had of it; that our young noblemen are bred from their 
childhood in idleness and luxury ; that a weak, diseased body, a meagre counten- 
ance and sallow complexion are the true marks of noble blood, and a healthy, robust 
appearance indicates a erroom or a coachman. The imperfections of his mind run 
parallel with those of his body; being a composition of spleen, dullness, ignorance, 
caprice, sensuality and pride. 

“ Without the consent of this illustrious body no law can be enacted, repealed, or 
altered ; and these nobles have likewise the decision of all our possessions, without 
appeal.” 


CHAPTER VII. 

The author*?! great love of h’s native country— His master’s observations upon the constitution and 

a IminiUra.ion < f England, as da,:crihed by the author, with paraLel cases and coiui.ar.sons 

His master’s ebservations upon human nature. 

The reader may he disposed to wonder how I could prevail on myself to give so 
free a representation of my own species, among a race of mortals who are already 
too apt to conceive the vilest opinion of human kind from that entire congruity be- 
tween me and their Yahoos. But I must treely confers that the many virtues of 
those excellent quadrupeds, placed in opposite view to human corni) tions, had so 
far opened my eyes and enlarged my understanding that 1 began to view the actions 


A VOYAGE TO TEE COUNTRY OF THE BO UYHNHN M8. 


10 ? 

and passions of man in n very different light, and to think the honor of my own kind 
not worth managing; which, beside, it was impossible for me to do before a person 
of so acute a judgment as mv master, who daily convinced me of a thousand faults 
in myself whereof l had not the lea^t perception before — and which, with us, would 
never be numbered even among human infirmities. I had likewise learned, from Iris 
example, an utter detestation of all falsehood or disguise; and truth appeared so 
amiable to me that 1 determined upon sacrificing everything to it. 

Let me deal so candidly with the reader as to confess that there was yet a much 
stronger motive for the freedom I took in my representation of things. I had not yet 
been a year in this country before I contracted such a love and veneration lor the in- 
habitants, that I entered on a fi m resolution never to return to human kind, but to 
pass the rest of my life among the admirable Houyhnhnms, in the contemplation and 
practice of every virtue; where I could have no example or incitement to vice. But 
it was decreed by fortune — my perpetual enemy — that so great a felicity should not 
fall to my share. However, it is now some comfort to reflect that, in wnat I said of my 
countrymen, I extenuated their faults as much as I durst before so strict an exam- 
iner; and upon every artic e gave as favorable a turn as the matter would bear. For, 
indeed, who is there alive that would not be swayed by his bias and partiality to the 
place of his birth? 

I have related the substance of several conversations I had with my master, dur- 
ing the greatest part of the time I had the honor to be in his service; but have, 
indeed, for brevity’s sake, omitted much more than is here set down. 

When I had answered all his questions, and his curiosity seemed to be fully satisi- 
fied, he sent for me one mor..ing early and commanded me to sit down at some dis- 
tance (an honor which he had never before conferred upon me). He said, “ He had 
been very seriously considering my whole story, as far as it related both to myself 
and to my country; that he looked upon us as a sort of animals to whose share — by 
what accident he could not conjecture — some small pittance of reason had fallen, 
whereof we made no other use than by its assistance to aggravate our natural corrup- 
tions, and to acquire new ones which nature had not given us; that we disarmed 
our elves of the few abilities she had bestowed; had been very successful in multi- 
plying our original wants, and seemed to spend our whole l.ves in vaiu endeavors to 
supply them by our own inventions. Tnat as to myself, it was manifest I had 
neither the strength nor agility of a common Yahoo; that 1 walked infirmly on my 
hinder feet; had found a contrivance to make my claws of no use or defense, and to 
remove the hair from my chin, which was intended as a shelter from the sun and the 
weather. Lastly, that I could neither run with speed nor climb trees like my breth- 
ren, as he called them, “ the Yahoos in his country. 

“That our institutions of govern rent and law were plainly owing to our gross de- 
fects in reason, and by consequence in virtue^ because reason alone is sufficient to 
govern a rational creature ; which was, therefore, a character we have no pretense 
to challenge, even from the account I had given of my own people— although he 
manifestly perceived that, in order to favor them, I had concealed many particulars 
and often said the thing which was not. 

“ He was the more confirmed in this opinion, because he observed that as I agreed 
in every feature of my body with other Yahoos— except where it was to my real dis- 
advantage in point of strength, speed and activity, the shortness of my claws and 
some other particulars where nature had no part— so, from the representation I had 
given him of our lives, our manners and our actions, he found as near a resemblance 
in the disposition of our minds.” He said, “ The Yahoos were known to hate one 
another more than they did any different species of animals; and the reason usually 
assigned was the odiousness of their own sh ipes— which all could see in the rest, but 
not m themselves. He had therelore begun to think it not unwise in us to cover our 
bodies and by that invention conceal many of our deformities from eaca other 
which would else be hardly supportable. But he now found he had been mistaken, 
and that the dissensions of those brutes in his country were owing to the same cause 
with ours, as I had described them. For if,” said he, “ you throw among five Ya- 
hoos as much food as would be suflicient for fifty they will, instead of earing peace- 
ably fall together by the ears, each single one imp tieut to have ail to itself; and 
therefore a servant was usually employed to stand by while they were feeding 
abroad and those kept at home were tied' at a distance from each other; that if acow 
died of age or acciuent, before a Houyhnhnm could secure it lor Jais ow» Yahoo* 


CTTLLIVEB'S TRAVELS. 


10 * 

those in the neighborhood would come in herds to secure it; and then would ensue 
such a battle as i had described, with terrible wounds made by their claws on both 
sides, although thev seldom were able to kill one another for want of such convenient 
instruments of death ns we had invented. At other times the like battles have been 
fought between the Yahoos of several neighborhoods without any visible cause; 
those of one district watching all opportunities to surprise the next before they are 
prepared. But if they find their project has miscarried they returned home, and, for 
want of enemies, engage in what I call a civil war among themselves. 

“That in some fields of his country there are certain shining stones of several 
colors, whereof the Yahoos are violently fond ; and when part of these stones is fixed in 
the earth, as it sometimes happens, they will dig with their claws for whole days to 
g> t them out; then carry them away, and hide them by heaps in their kennels ; but 
still looking around with great caution, for fear their comrades should find out their 
treasure. My master said “ he could never discover the reason of this unnatural 
appetite, or how these stones could be of any use to a Yahoo ; but now he believed 
it might proceed from the same principle of avarice which I had ascribed to man- 
kind. That he had once, by way of experiment, privately removed a heap of these 
stones from the place where one of his Yahoos had buried it ; whereupon the sordid 
animal, missing his treasure, by his loud lamenting, brought the whole herd to the 
place, there miserably howled, then fell to tearing and biting the rest; began to pine 
away, and would neither eat, nor sleep, nor work, till he ordered a servant privately 
to convey the stones into the same hole, and hide them as before ; which, when his 
Yahoo had found, he presently recovered his spirits and good humor, but took good 
care to remove them to a better hiding-place, and has ever since been a very service- 
able brute.” My master further assured me, which I also observed myself, “that in 
the fields where the shining stones abound the fiercest and most frequent battles are 
fought, occasioned by perpetual inroads of the neighboring Yahoos.” 

He said “it was common, when two Yahoos discovered such a stone in a field, 
and were contending which of them should be the proprietor, a third would take 
the advantage, and carry it away from them both; ” which our master would needs 
contend had some kind of resemblance with our suits at law; wherein I thought it 
for our credit not to undeceive him, since the decision he mentioned was much more 
equitable than many decrees among us; because the plaintiff and defendant there 
lost nothing besides the stone they were contending for ; whereas our courts of 
equity would never have dismissed the cause while either of them had anything 
left. 

My master, continuing his discourse, said “ there was nothing that rendered the 
Yahoos more odious than their undistinguishing appetite to devour everything that 
came in their way, whether herbs, roots, berries, the corrupted flesh of animals, or 
all mingled together; and it was peculiar in their temper that they were fonder of 
what they could get bv rapine or stealth, at a greater distance, than much better food 
provided for them at home. If their prey held out, they would eat till they were 
ready to burst; after which nature had pointed out to them a certain root that gave 
them a cure. 

“There was also another kind of root, very juicy, but somewhat rare and difficult 
to be found, which the Yahoos sought for with much eagerness, and would suck it 
with great delight ; it produced in them the same effect that wine has upon us. it 
would make them sometimes hug, and sometimes tear one another; they would 
howl, and grin, and chatter, and reel, and tumble, and then fall asleep in the 
mud.” 

I did indeed observe that the Yahoos were the only animals in this country sub- 
ject to any diseases; which, however, were much fewer than horses have among us, 
and contracted not by any ill treatment they meet with, but by the nastiness and 
greediness of that sordid brute. Neither has their language any more than a gen- 
eral appellation for these maladies, which is borrowed from the name of the beasts, 
and called the knea Yahoo , or Yahoo’s evil. 

“ As to learning, government, arts, manufactures, and the like,” my master con- 
fessed “ he could find little or no resemblance between the Yahoos of that country 
and those in ours. For he only meant to observe wh it parity there was in our na- 
tures. He had heard, indeed, some curious Houyhnhnms observe that in most 
herds there was a sort of ruling Yahoo (as among us there is generally some leading 
OT principal stag in a park), who are always more deformed in body and mischievous 


A VOYAGE TO THE COUNTRY OF THE HOUYHNHNMS. 


109 


|n disposition than any of the rest. That this leader has usually a favorite, as like 
himself as he could get, whose employment was to lick his master’s feet, for which 
he was now and then rewarded with a piece of ass’s flesh. This favorite is hated by 
the whole herd, and t erefore, to protect himself, keeps always near the person of 
his leader. He usually continues in office till a worse can be found ; but the very 
moment he is discarded, his successor, at the head of all the Yahoos in that district, 
young and old, male and female, come in a body and offer him every conceivable 
insult. But how far this might be applicable at our courts, and favorites, and min- 
isters of state, my master said I could best determine.” 

I durst make no return to this malicious insinuation, which debased human un- 
derstanding below the sagacity of a common hound, who has judgment enough to 
distinguish and follow the cry of the ablest dog in the pack, without being ever 
mistaken. 

My master likewise mentioned another quality, which his servants had discovered 
in several Yahoos and to him was wholly unaccountable. He said “a fancy would 
sometimes take a Yahoo to retire into a corner to lie down, and howl, and groan, 
and spurn away all that came near him, although he were young and fat, wanted 
neither food nor water, nor did the servant imagine what could possibly ail him. 
And the only remedy they found was to set him to hard work, after which he would 
infallibly come to himself.” To this I was silent out of partiality to my own kind; 

J r et here I couid plainly discover the true seeds of spleen, which only seizes on the 
azy, the luxurious, and the rich, who, if they were forced to undergo the same 
regime, 1 would undertake for the cure. 


CHAPTER VIIL 


The author relates several particulars of the Yahoos— The great virtues of the HouyhnhmxuH- 
The education aud exercise of their youth— Their general assembly. 

As I ought to have understood human nature much better than I supposed it pos- 
sible for my master to do, so it was easy to the character he gave of the Ya- 



hoos to myself and my countrymen; and I believed I could yet make irrther dis- 
coveries from my own observation. I therefore often begged his honor to let me go 
among the herds of Yahoos in the neighborhood, to which he always very graciously 
consented, being perfectly convinced that the hatred I bore these brutes would 
never suffer me to be corrupted by them ; and his honor ordered one of his serv- 
ants, a strong, sorrel nag, very honest and good-natured, to be my guard, without 
whose protection I durst not undertake such adventures. For I have already told 
the reader how much I was pestered by these odious animals upon my first arrival; 
and I afterward failed very narrowly three or four times of falling into their 
clutches when I happened to stray at any distance without my hanger. And I have 
reason to believe they had some imagination that I was of their own species, which 
I often assisted myself by stripping up my sleeves, and showing my naked arms in 
their sight, when my protector was with me. At which times they would approach 
as near as they durst, and imitate my actions after the manner of monkeys, hut ever 
with great signs of hatred; as a tame jackdaw with cap and stockings is always per- 
secuted by the wild ones, when he happens to be got among them. 

They are prodigiously nimble from their infancy. However, I once caught a 
young male of three years old, and endeavored, by all marks of tenderness, to make 
it quiet; but the little imp fell a-squalling, and scratching, and biting with such vio- 
lence, that I was forced to let it go ; and it was high time, for a whole troop of old 
ones came about us at the no se, but finding the cub was safe (for away it ran), and 
my sorrel nag being by, they durst not venture near us. 

By what I could discover, the Yahoos appear to be the most unteacliable of all 
animals ; their capacities never reaching higher than to draw or carry burdens. Yet 
I am of opinion, this defect arises chiefly from a perverse, restive disposition. For 
they are cunning, malicious, treacherous, and revengeful. They are strong aud hardv, 
but of a cowardly spirit, and by consequence insolent, abject, and cruel. It is ob- 
served that the red-haired of both sexes are more mischievous than the rest, whom 
yet they much exceed In strength and activity* 


110 


GULLIVER’S TRAVELS. 


The Houyhnhnms keep the Yahoos for present use In huts not far from the house* 
but the rest are sent abroad to certain fields, where they dig up roots, eat several 
kinds of herbs, and search about for carrion, or sometimes catch weasles and lahi- 
muhs (a sort of wild rat), which they greedily devour. Nature has taught them to 
dig deep holes with their nails in the side of a rising ground, wherein they lie by 
themselves, only the kennels of the females are larger, sufficient to hold two or three 
cubs. 

They swim from their infancy like frogs, and are able to continue long under wa- 
ter, where they often take fish, which the females carry home to their young. 

Having lived three years in this country, the reader, I suppose, will ex- 
pect that I should, like other travelers, give him some account of the man- 
ners and customs of its inhabitants, which it was indeed my principal study to learn. 

As these noble Houyhnhnms are endowed by nature with a general disposition to 
all virtues, and have no conceptions or ideas of what is evil in a rational creature; 
ao their grand maxim is to cultivate reason, and to be wholly governed by it. Nei- 
their is reason among them in a point probl •matical, as With us, where men can 
argue with plausibility on both sides of t,.e question ; but strikes you with immedi- 
ate conviction ; as it must needs do, where it is not mingled, obscured, or d.scolored. 
by passion and interest. I remember it was with extreme difficulty that I could 
bring my master to understand the meaning of the word opinion , or how a point 
could be dispu able; because reason taught us to affirm or ao*y only where we are 
certain; and beyond our know.edge we cannot do either, to that controversies, 
wranglings, disputes, and positiveness, in false or du’s ious propositions, are evils un- 
known among the Houyhnhnms. In the like manner, wnen I used to explain to 
him our several systems of natural philosophy, he would laugh “that a creature pre- 
tending to reason should value itself upon the knowledge of other people’s conjec- 
tures, and in things where that knowledge, if it were certain, could be of no use.” 
"Wherein he agreed entirely with the sentiments of Socrates, as Plato delivers them ; 
which I ment on as the highest honor I can do that prince of philosophers. I have 
often since refl cted, what destruction such doctrine would make in the libraries 
of Europe; and how many paths of fume would be then shut up in the learned 
world. 

Friendship and benevolence are the two principal virtues among the Houyhnhnms; 
and these not confined to particular objects, but universal to the whole race. For a 
stranger from the remotest part is equally treated with the nearest nighbor; and 
wherever he goes, looks upon himself as at home. They preserve decency and civ- 
ility in the highest degrees, bat are altogether ignorant of ceremony. Thev have no 
fondness for their co ts or foals, but the care they take in educating them proceeds 
entirely from the dictates of reason. And I observed my master to show the same 
affection to his neighbor’s issue that he had for his own. Tney will have it 
that nature teaches them to love the whole species, and it is reason only 
that makes a distinction of persons, where there is a superior degree of virtue. 

Courtship, love, presents, jointures, settlements, have no place in their thoughts: 
or terms whereby to express them in the.r language. The young couple meet, and 
are joined, mere y because it is the determination of their parents and friends; it is 
what they see done every day, and they look upon it as one of the necessary actions 
of a reasonable being. But the married pair pass their lives with the same friend- 
ship and mutual benevolence that tney bear to all others of the same species 
who come in their way; without jealousy, fondness, quarreling, or discontent. 

In educating the youth of both sexes, their method is admirable, and highly de- 
serves our imitation. They are not suffered to taste a grain of oats, except upon 
certain days, till eighteen years old; nor milk but very rarely; and in summer they 
graze two hours in the morning, and as many in the evening, which their parents 
likewise observe ; but the servants are not allowed above half that time, and a great 
part of their grass is brought home, which they eat at the most convenient hours, 
when they can be best spared from work. 

Temperance, industry, exercise, and cleanliness, are the lessons equally enjoined 
to the young ones of both sexes; and my master thought it monstrous in us to t ive 
the females a different kind of education from the males, except in some articles of 
domestic management; whereby, as he truly observed, one half of our natives were 
good for nothing; and to trust the care of our children to such useless animals, he 
•aid, was yet a greater instance of brutality. 


A VOYAGE TO THE COUNTRY OF THE HOUYHNHNMS, 


111 

Bnt the Houyhnhnms train tip their youth to strength, speed, and hardiness, by ex- 
ercising them in running races up and down steep hills, and over hard, stony grounds: 
and when they are all in a sweat, they are ordered to leap over head a.nd ears into a 
pond or river. Four times a year the youth of a certain district meet to show their 
proficiency in running and leaping, and other feats of strength and agility; where 
the victor is rewarded with a song in his or her praise. On this festival, the servants 
drive a herd of Yahoos into the field, laden with hay, and oats, and milk, for a re- 
past to the Houyhnhnms, after which these brutes are immediately driven back 
again, for fear of being noisome to the assembly. 

Every fourth year, at the vernal equinox, there is a representative council of the 
whole nation, which meets in a plain about twenty miles from our house, and con- 
tinues about five or six days. Here they inquire into the state and condition of the 
several districts ; whether they abound or be deficient in hay, or oats, or cows, or 
Yahoos; and wherever there is any want (which is hut seldom) it is immediately 
supplied by unanimous consent and contribution. Here likewise the regulation of 
children is settled ; as, for instance, if a Houylmhnm has two males, he changes one 
of them with another that has two females. 


CHAPTER IX. 

A grand debate at the general assembly cf the Hcu- hn ? nm\ and how It was determined— The 
learn ng of the- Huuyhnknms— Their buildings— Their manner of burials— Tue defectiveness 
of their language. 

One of these grand assemblies was held in my time, about three months before 
my departure, whither my master went as the repre entative of our district. In 
this council was resumed their old debate, and indeed the only debate that ever 
happened in their country; whereof my master, alter his return, gave me a very 
particular account. 

The question to be debated was, “Whether the Yahoos should be exterminated from 
the face of the earth ?” One of the members for the affirmative ofiered several argu- 
ments of great strength and weight alleging, “ that as the Yahoos were the most filthy, 
noisome, and deformed anima s which nature ever produced, so they were the most 
restive and indocile, miscliievovs, and malicious; they would privately suck the 
teats of the Houynlinms cows, kill and devour their cats, trample down their oats 
and grass, if they were not continually watched, and commit a t ousand other ex- 
travagances.” He took notice of a general tradition “ihat Yahoos had not been 
always in their country; but that, many ages ago, two of these brutes uppe; red to- 
gether upon a mountain; whet her p oduced by the heat of the sun upon corrupted 
mud and slime, or from the ooze and froth of the sea, was never known: that their 
brood, in a short time, grew so numerous as to overrun and infest the whole nation ; 
that -the Houyhnhnms, to get rid of this evil, made a general hunting, and at last 
enclosed the whole herd; and destroying the elder, every Houyhnhnm kept two 
young ones in a kennel, and brought them to such a degree of tameness as an animal 
so savage by nature can he capable of acquiring; using th< m for draught and car- 
riage: that there seemed to be much truth in this tradition, and that tnose cre atures 
could not be ylnKniamshy (or aborigines of the land), because of the violent hatred 
the Houyhnhnms, as well as all other animals, bore them, which, although their evil 
disposition sufficiently deserved, could never have arrived at so high a degree, if 
they had been aborigines; or else they would have been long since rooted out; that 
the* inhabitants, taking a fancy to use the serv.ee of the Yal oos, had very impru- 
dently neglected to cultivate the breed of asses, which are a comely nnim il, easily 
kept, more tame and orderly, strong enough for labor, although they yield to ihe 
otiier in agility of body; and if their braying be no agreeable sound, it is lar pref- 
erable to the horrible bowlings of the Yahoos.” 

Several others declared their sentiments to the same purpose, when my master 
proposed an expedient to the assembly, whereof he had liule d boriowed the hint 
from me. “He approved of the tradition mentioned by the honorable member who 
spoke before, and affirmed that the two Yahoos said to be seen first among them had 
been driven thither over the sea; that coming to land, and being forsaken by their 
companions, they retired to the mountains, and degenerated by degrees, became in 


m 


•rlliver's travels. 


process of much time more savage than those of their own species in the country 
whence these two originals came. The reason of this assertion was, that he had 
now in his possession a certain wonderful Yahoo (meaning myself), which most of 
them had heard of, and mai;y of them had seen. He then related to them now he 
first found me ; that my body was all covered with an artificial composure of the 
skins and hairs of other animals ; that I spoke in a language of my own, and had 
thoroughly learned theirs ; that I had related to him the accidents which brought 
me thither; that when he saw me without my covering I was an exact Yahoo in 
every part, only a whiter color, less hairy, and with shorter claws. He added, how 
I had endeavored to pursuade him, that in my own and other countries, the Yahoos 
acted as the governing rational animal, and held the Houyhnhnms in servitude ; 
that he observed in me all the qualities of a Yahoo, only a little more civilized by 
some tincture of reason, which, however, was in a degree as far inferior to the Hou- 
yhnhnm race as the Yahoos of their country were to me; that some invention might 
be practiced upon the younger Yahoos here, which besides rendering them tractable 
and fitter for use, would in an age put an end to the whole species, without destroy- 
ing life; that in the meantime the Houyhnhnms should be exhorted to cultivate the 
breed of asses, which, as they are in all respects more valuable brutes, so they have 
this advantage, to be fit for service at five years old, which the others are not till 
twelve/* 

This was all my master thought fit to tell me at that time, of what passed in the 
grand council. But he was pleased to conceal one particular, which related person- 
ally to myself, whereof I soon felt the unhappy effect, as the reader will know in its 
proper plaae, and whence I date all the succeeding misfortunes of my life. 

The Houyhnhnms have no letters, and consequently their knowledge is all tra- 
ditional. But there happening few events of any moment among a people so well 
united, naturally disposed to every virtue, wholly governed by reason, and cut off 
from all commerce with other nations, the historical part is easily preserved without 
burdening their memories. I have already observed that they are subject to no dis- 
eases, ana therefore can have no need of physicians. However, they have excellent 
medicines, composed of herbs, to cure accidental bruises and cuts in the pastern or 
frog of the foot by sharp stones, as well as other maims and hurts in tne several 
parts of the body. 

They calculate the year by the revolutions of the sun and the moon, but use no 
sub-divisions into weeks. They are well enough acquainted with the motions of 
those two luminaries, and understand the nature of eclipses ; and this is the utmost 
progress of their astronomy. 

In poetry, they must be allowed to excel all other mortals ; wherein the justness 
of their similes, and the minuteness as well as exactness of their description^, are 
indeed inimitable. Their verses abound very much in both of these, and usually 
contain either some exalted notions of friendship and benevolence, or the praises 
of those who were victors in races and other bodily exercises. Their buildings, 
although very rude and simple, are not inconvenient, but well contrived to defend 
them from all injuries of cold and heat. They have a kind of tree, which at forty 
years old loosens in the root, and falls with the first storm; it grows very straight, 
and being pointed like stakes, with a sharp stone (for the Houyhnhnms know not 
the use of iron), they stick them erect in the ground, about ten inches asunder, and 
then weave in oat straw, or sometimes wattles, between them. The roof is made 
after the same manner, and so are the doors. 

The Houyhnhnm use the hollow part, between the pastern and the hoof of the 
forefoot, as we do our hands, and this with greater dexterity than I could at first 
imagine. I have seen a white mare of our family thread a needle (which I lent her 
on purpose) with that joint. They milk their cows, reap their oa s, and do all the 
work which requires hands, in the same manner. They have a kind of hard flints, 
which, by grinding against other stones, they form into instruments that serve in- 
stead of wedges, axes, and hammers. With tools made of these flints they likewise 
cut their hay, and reap their oats, which there grow naturally in several fields : the 
Yahoos draw home the sheaves in carriages, and the servants tread them in certain 
covered huts to get out the grain, which is kept in stores. They make a rude kind of 
earthen and wooden vessels, and bake the former in the sun. 

If they can avoid casualties, they die only of old age, and are buried in the ob- 
scurest places that can be found, their friends and relations expressing neither joy 


▲ VOYAGE TO THE COUNTRY OP THE HOUYHNHNMS. 


ns 

nor grief at their departure ; nor does the dying person discover the least regret 
that ne is leaving the world, any more than if he were upon returning home from a 
visit to one of his neighbors. 1 remember my master having once made an appoint- 
ment with a friend and his family to come to his house, upon some affair of import- 
ance : on the day fixed the mistress and her two children came very late; she made 
two excuses, first for her husband, who, as she said, happened that very morning to 
Ihnuwnh. The word is strongly expressive in their language, but not easily rendered 
into English; it signifies, “to retire to his first mother.” Her excuse for not com- 
ing sooner was, that her husband dying late in the morning, she was a good while 
consulting her servants about a convenient place where his body should belaid; 
and I observed, she behaved herself at our house as cheerfully as the rest; she died 
about three months after. 

They live generally to seventy or seventy-five y«ars, very seldom to fourscore: 
some weeks before their death they feel a gradual decay, but without pain. During 
this time they are much visited by their friends, because they cannot go abroad with 
their usual ease aud satisfaction. However, about ten days before their death, 
which they seldom fail in computing, they return the visits that have been made 
them by those who are nearest in the neighborhood, being carried in a convenient 
sledge drawn by Yahoos; which vehicle they use, not only upon this occasion, but 
when they grow old, upon long journeys, or when they are lamed by any accident: 
and therefore when the dying Houyhnhnms return those visits, they take a solemn 
leave of their friends, as* if they were going to some remote part of the country, 
M'here they designed to pass the rest of their lives. 

I know not whether it may be worth observing, that the Houyhnhnms have no 
word in their language to express anything that is evil, except what they borrow 
from the deformities or ill qualities of the Yahoos. Thus they denote the lolly of a 
servant, an omission of a child, a stone that cuts their feet, a continuance of foul or 
unseasonable weather, and the like, by adding to each the epithet of Yahoo. For 
instance, hhnm Yahoo , whnaholm Yahoo, ynlhmndvdhlma Yahoo , and ill-contrived 
house, ynholmhnmrohlnw Yahoo. 

I could, with great pleasure, enlarge further upon the manners and virtues of this 
excellent people ; but intending in a short time to publish a volume by itself, ex- 
pressly upon that subject, I refer the reader thither; and, iu the meantime^ proceed 
to relate my own sad catastrophe. 


CHAPTER X. 

The author’s economy, and happy life among the Houyhnhnms— His great Improvement In vir- 
tue by conversin'* with them— Their conversations — I he author has notice givm him by hia 
master that he must depart Irom the country— He falls into a swoon lor grief, but submits— 
He contrives and finishes a canoe by the help of a fellow-servant, and puts to sea at a venturew 

I had settled my little economy to my own heart’s content. My master had ordered 
a room to be made for me, after their manner, about six yards from the house ; the 
sides and floors of which I plastered with clay, and covered with rush mats of my 
own contriving : I had beaten hemp, which there grows wild, an'" "nade of it a 6ort 
of ticking ; this I filled with the feathers of several birds I had taken with springes 
made of Yahoo’s hair, and were excellent food. I had worked two chairs with my 
knife, the sorrel nag helping me in the grosser and more laborious part. When my 
clothes were worn to rags, l made myself others with the skins of rabbits, and of a 
certain beautiful animal, about the same size, called nnuhnoh , the skin of which is 
covered with a fine down. Of these I also made very tolerable stockings. I soled 
my shoes with wood, which I cut from a tree, and fitted to the upper leather; and 
when this was worn out, I supplied it with the skins of the Yahoos dried in the sun. 
I often got honey out of hollow trees, which I mingled with water, or ate with my 
Dread. No man could more verify the truth of these two maxims, that “Nature is 
very easily satisfied ;” and, that “Necessity is the mother of invention.” I enjoyed 
perfect health of body and tranquility of mind ; I did not feel the treachery or in- 
constancy of a friend, nor the injuries of a secret or open enemy. I had no ocoa- 
s$on of bribing, or flattering, to procure the favor of any great man, or of Mf 


114 


Gulliver’s travels. 


minion. I wanted no fenoe against fraud or oppression : here was neither physician 
to destroy my body, nor lawyer to ruin niy fortune ; no informer to watch my words 
and actions, or forge accusations against me for hire: here were no gibers, oen- 
surers, backbiters, pickpockets, highwaymen, housebreakers, attorneys, buffoons, 
gamesters, politicians, wits, splenatics, tedious talkers, controvertists, murderers, 
robbers, virtuosos ; no leaders, or followers, of party and faction; no encouracgers 
to vice, by seducement or examp es; no dungeons, taxes, gibbets, whipping-posts, 
or pi. lories; no cheating shopkeepers or mechanics; no pride, vanity, or auectation; 
no foj 8, bullies, or drunkards; no ranting, expensive wives; no stupid, proud 
pedants; no importunate, overbearing, quarrelsome, noisy, roaring, empty, con* 
ceited, swearing companions ; no scoundrels raised from the dust upon the merit of 
their vices, or nobility tar wn into it on account of their virtues ; no lords, fiddlers, 
judges, or dancing-masters. . 

I had the favor of being admitted to several Houyhnhnms, who came to visit or 
dine with my master; where his honor graciously suffered me to wait in the room 
and listen to their discourse. Both he and his company would often descend to ask 
me questions and receive my answers. I had also sometimes the honor of attending 
my master in his visits to others. I never presumed to speak, except in answer to a 
question ; and then I d d it with inward regret, because it was a loss of so much 
time for improving myself; but I was infinitely delighted with the station of an hum- 
ble auditor in such conversations, where nothing passed but what was u-eful, ex- 
pressed in the fewest and most significant words; where, as I have already said, the 
greatest decency was observed, wit .out the least degree of ceremony; where no per- 
son spoke without being p. eased himself, and pleasing his companions ; where there 
was no interruption, tediousness, heat, or cilference of sentiments. They have a 
notion, that when people are met together, a short silence does much improve con- 
versation; this I lound to be true; lor, during those little intermissions oi talk, new 
ideas would arise in their minds, which very much enlivened the discourse. Their 
subjects are generally on friendship and benevolence, on order and economy; 
sometimes upon the visible operatio. s of nature, or ancient traditions; upon the 
bounds and lnn.ts of virtue ; upon the unerring rules of reason, or upon some deter- 
mination to be taken at the next great assembly, and often upon the various excel- 
lences of poetry. I may add, without vani.y, that my presence often gave them 
sufficient matter for discourse, because it afi'orded my master an occasion of letting 
bis friends into the h story of me and my country, upon which they were all pleased 
to descant, and in- a manner not very advantageous to humankind; and for that 
reason I shall not repeat what they said ; only 1 may be allowed to observe, that his 
honor, to my great admiration, appeared to understand the nature of Yahoos much 
better than myself. He went through all our vices and foll.es, r.rd discovered many 
which I had never mention d to him, by only supposing what qualities a Yahoo of 
their country, with a small portion of reason, might b. capable of exerting; and 
concluded with too much probability, “ How viie as well as miserable such a creature 
must be.” 

I freely confess that all the little knowledge I had of any value, was acquired by the 
lectures I i.ad received from my master, aud from hearing the discourses of him and 
his friends; to which I should be prouder to listen than to dictate to the greatest 
and wisest assembly in Europe. I admired the strength, comliuess, and speed of the 
inhabitants; and such a constell tion of virtues, iu such amiable persons, produced 
in me the highest veneration. At first, indeed, I did not feel t.iat natural awe which 
the Yahoos aud all other animals bear toward them; but it grew upon me by de- 
grees much soouer than I imagined, and was mingled with a respectful love and 
gratitude that they would condescend to distinguisn me from the rest of my species. 

When I thought of my family, my friends, my countrymen, or the human race in 
general, I considered them, as they reaby were, Yahoos in shape and disposition, 
perhaps a little more civil zed. and qualified with the gift of speech; but making no 
other use of rea-on than to improve and multiply those vices, whereof their breth- 
ren in this country had only the share that nature allotted them. When 1 happened 
to behold the reflection of my own form in a lake or fountain, I turned away my face 
in horror and detestation of myself; and could better endure the sight of a common 
Yahoo than of my own person. By conversing with the Houyhnhnms, and looking 
upon tnem with uelight, 1 fell to imitate their gate and gesture, which is now grown 
into a habit; and my friends often tell me in a blunt way, “ that X trot like a horse }** 


▲ VOYAGE TO THE COUNTRY OP THE HOUYHNHNMS. 


115 


which, however, I take for a great compl : ment; neither shall I disown that in 
speaking I am apt to tali into the voice ancl manners of the Houyhnhnms, and hear 
myself ridiculed on that account, without the least mortification. 

In the midst of all this happiness, and when I looked upon myself to be fully settled 
for life my master sentfor me a little earlier one morning than his usual hour. I observed 
by his countenance that he was in some perplexity, and ataloss howto begin what he 
had to speak. After a short silence, he told me “ he did not know how 1 would take 
what he was going to say; that in the last general assembly, when the affair of the 
Yahoos was entered upon, the representatives had taken offense at his keeping a 
Yahoo (meaning myself) in his family, more like a Houyhnhnmthan a brute animal ; 
that he was known frequently to converse with me, as if he eould receive some ad- 
vantage or pleasure in my company; that such a practice was not agreeable to rea- 
son or nature, or a thing ever heard of before among them; the assembly did 
therefore exhort him either to employ me like the rest of my spec es, or command 
me to swim back to the place whence I came ! that the f rst of these expedients was 
utterly rejected by all the Houyhnhnms who had ever seen me at his house or their 
own ; for they alleged, that because I had some rudiments of reason, added to the 
natural gravity of those animals, it was to be feared I might be able to sedu e them 
into the woody and mountainous parts of the country, and bring them in tioops by 
night to destroy the Houyhnhnms’ cattle, as being naturally of the ravenous kind, 
and averse from labor.” 

My master added, “That he was daily pressed by the Houyhnhnms of the neigh- 
borhood to have the assem ly’s exhortation executed, which he could not put ofi 
much longer. He doubted it would be impossible for me to swim to ano.her 
country; and therefore wished I would contrive some sort of vehicle resembling 
those I had described to him, that might carry me on the sea ; in which work I should 
have the assistance of his own servants, as well as those of his neighbors.” He con- 
cluded “ that, for his own part, he could have been content to keep me in his service 
as long as I lived ; because he found I had cured myself of some bad habits and dis- 
positions by endeavoring, as far as my inferior nature was capable, to imitate the 
Houyhnhnms.” 

I should here observe to the reader, that a decree of the general assembly in this 
country is expressed by the word hnhloayn, which signifies an exhortation, as near 
as I can render it; for they have no conception how a rational creature can be com- 
pelled, but only advised or exhorted ; because no person can disobey reason with- 
out giving up his claim to be a rat.onal creature. 

I was struck with the utmost grief and despair at my master’s discourse; and be- 
ino- unable to support the agonies I was under, I fell inio a swoon at his feet. When 
I came to myself, he told me “that he concluded I had been de id ;” for these peo- 
ple are subject to no such imbecilities of nature. I answered, in a faint voice, “ that 
death would have been too great a happin ss; that although I could not blame the 
assembly’s exhortation, or the urgency of his friends, yet, in my weak and corrupt 
ludgment, I thought it might consist with reason to ha. e been .ess rigorous ; that I 
could not swim a league, and probably the nearest land to theirs might be distant 
above a hundred ; that many materials, necessary for making a small vessel to carry 
me off, were wholly wanting in this country; which, however, I would attempt, in 
ami irrut. tn his honor. although I concluded the thing to be lmpossi- 


V* l/nw — * 



m 


gtjllivee’s teavels. 


so at this distance I may presume to call him), to follow my instructions ; because I 
told my master “ that his help would be sufficient, and I knew he had a tenderness 
for me.” 

In his company my first business was to go to that part of the coast where my re- 
bellious crew had ordered me to be set on shore. I got upon a height, and looking 
on every side into the sea, fanced I saw a small island toward the north-east; I took 
out my pocket-glass and could then clearly distinguish it about five leagues off, as I 
computed; but it appeared to the sorrel nag to be oniy a blue cloud; for as he had 
no conception of any country beside his own, so he could not be as expert in distin- 
guishing remote objects at sea as we who so much converse in that element. 

After I had discovered this island, I considered no further; but resolved it should, 
if possible, be the first place of my banishment, leaving the consequence to iortune. 

I returned home, and consulting with the sorrel nag, we went into a copse at some 
distance, where I with my knife, and he with a sharp flint, fastened very artificially 
after their manner to a wooden handle, cut down several oak wattles, about the 
thickness of a walking-staff and some larger pieces. But I shall not trouble the 
reader with a particular description i f my own mechanics ; let it suffice to sav, that 
in six weeks’ time, with the help of the f-orrel nag, who performed the parts that re- 
quired most labor, I finished a sort of Indian canoe, but much larger, covering it 
with the skins of Yahoos, well stitched together with hempen threads of my own 
making. My sail was likewise composed of the skins of the same animal; but I 
made use of the youngest I could get, the older being too tough and thick ; and I 
likewise provided myself with four paddles. I laid in a stock of boiled flesh, of rab- 
bits and fowls; and 'took wrth me two vessels, one filled with milk and the other 
with water. 

I tried ray canoe in a large pond, near my master’s house, and then corrected in it 
what was amiss, stopping all the chinks with tallow, till I found it staunch and able 
to bear me and my freight; and, when it was as complete as I could possibly make 
it, I had it drawn on a carriage very gently by Yahoos to the sea-side, under the con- 
duct of the sorrel nag and another servant. 

When, all was ready, and the day came for my departure, I took leave of my 
master and lady and the whole family, my eyes flowing with tears, and my heart 
quite sunk with grief. But his honor out of curiosity, and perhaps (if I may speak 
it without vanity) partlv out of kindness, was determined to see me in my canoe ; and 
got several of his neighboring friends to accompany him. I was forced to wait above 
on hour for the tide, and then observing the wind very fortunately bearing toward 
the island to which I intended to steer my course, I took a second leave of my 
master; but as I was going to prostrate myself to kiss his hoof, he did me the honor 
to raise it gently to my mouth. I am not ignorant how much I have been censured 
for mentioning this last particular. Detractors are pleased to think it improbable 
that so illustrious a person should descend to give so great a mark of distinction to 
a creature so inferior as I. Neither have I forgotten how apt some travelers are to 
boast of extraordinary favors they have received. But if these censurers were better 
acquainted with the noble and courteous disposition of the Ilouyhnhnms, they 
would soon change their opinion. 

I paid my respects to the rest of the Houyhnhnms in his honor’s company; then 
getting into my canoe I pushed off from shore. 


CIIAPTER XI. 

The author’s dangerous voyage— He arrives nt New Holland, hoping to settle there— Is wounded 
with an arrow by one of the natives— Is se zed and carried by force into a Portuguese ship— 
The great civilities of the cap tain— i he author arrives at Eugland. 

I began this desperate voyage on February 15. 1714-15, at nine o’clock in the 
morning. The wind was very favorable; however, I made use at first only of my pad- 
dles ; but considering I should be weary, and that the wind might chop about, T ventured 
to set up my little sail ; and thus, with the help of the tide, went at the rate of a league 
and a half an hour, as near as I could guess. My master and his friends continued 
on the shore till I was nearly out of Sight ; and I often heard the sorrel nag (who aiwaro 


A VOYAGE TO THE COUNTRY OF THE HOUYHNHNMS. 


1X7 


loved me) crying out, “ Hnuy ilia nyha majah Yahoo;” u Take care of thyself, gentle 
I anoo. 


My design was, if possible, to discover some small island uninhabited, yet suffi- 



der tiie government of Yahoos. For in such a solitude as I desired, I could at least 
enjoy ray own thoughts, and reflect with delight on the virtues of those inimitable 
Houyhnhnms, without an opportunity of degenerating into the vicesand corruptions 

of my own species. 


The 


and 


ie reader may remember what I related, when my crew conspired against me, 
confined me in my cabin ; how I continued there several weeks without knowing 



the Cape of Good Hope, or about 45 degrees southern latitude, as I gathered from 
some general words I overheard among them, being as I supposed to the south-east 
in their intended voyage to Madagascar. And although this were little better than 
a conjecture, yet I resolved to steer my course eastward, hoping to reach the south- 
west coast of New Holland, and perhaps some such island as I desired lying west- 
ward of it. The wind was full west, and by six in the evening I computed I had 
gone eastward at least eighteen leagues; when I spied a very small island about 
half a league off, which I soon reached. It was nothing but a rock, with one creek 
naturally arched by the force of tempests. Here I put in my canoe, and climb- 
ing a part of the rock, I could plainly discover land to the east extending from south 
to north. I lay all night in my canoe; and repeating my voyage early in the morn- 
ing, I arrived in seven hours to the south-east point of New Holland. This con- 
firmed me in the opinion I have long entertained, that the maps and charts place 
this country at least three degrees more at the east than it really is; which thought 
I communicated many years ago to my worthy friend, Mr. Herman Moll, and gave 
him my reasons for it, although he has rather chosen to follow other authors. 

I saw no inhabitants in the place where I landed, and being unarmed, I was 
afraid to venture far into the country. I found some shell-fish on the shore, and ate 
them raw, not daring to kindle afire, for fear of being discovered by the natives. I 
cont.nued three days feeding on oysters and limpets, to save my own provision; and 
I fortunately found a brook of excellent water, which gave me great relief. 

On the fourth day, venturing out ear v a little too far, I saw twenty or thirty natives 
on a height not above five hundred yards from me. They were around a fire, as I could 
discover by the smoke. One of them spied me, and gave notiee to the rest; five of 
them advanced toward me, leaving the women and children at the fire. I made 
what haste I could to the shore, and getting into my canoe shoved off. The savages, 
observing me retreat, ran after me; and before I could get far enough into the sea, 
discharged an arrow, which wounded me deeply on the inside of my left knee; I shall 
carry the mark to my grave. I apprehended the arrow might be poisoned, and pad- 
dling out of reach of their darts (being a calm day), I made a shiftto suck the wound, 
and dress it as well as I could. 

I was at a loss what to do, for I durst not return to the same landing-place, but stood 
to the north, and was forced to paddle; for the wind, though blowing very gentle, 
was against me, blowing north-west. As I was looking about for a secure landing- 
place, I saw a sail to the north-norih-east, which appearing every minute more visi- 
ble, I was in some doubt whether to wait for them or not; but at last my detestation 
of the Yahoo race prevailed; and turning my canoe, I sailed and paddled toward 
the south and got into the same creek whence I set out in the morning, choosing 
rather to trust myself among these barbarians than live with the European Yalioos. 
I drew my canoe as close as I could to the shore, and hid myself behind a stone by 
the little brook, which, as I have already said, was excellent water. 

The ship came within half-a-league of this creek, and sent her long-boat with ves- 
sels to take in fresh water (for the place it seems was very well known), but I did 
not observe it, till the boat was almost on shore; and it was too late to seek another 
hiding-place. The seamen at their landing observed my canoe, and rummaging it all 
over, easily conjectured that the owner could not be far off. Four of them well 
armed, searched every cranny and lurking-hole, till at last tkciy found me flat on my 


GULLIVER’S TRAVELS. 


118 

face behind the stone. They gazed awhile in admiration at my strange uncouth 
dress; my coat made of skins, iny wooden-soled shoes, and my furred stockings; 
whence, however, they concluded I was not a native of the place. One of the sea- 
men, in Portuguese, bid me rise, and asked who I was. I understood that lanuguage 
very well, and getting upon my feet, said “I was a poor Yahoo banished from the 
Houyhnltnms, and desired they would please let me depart.” They admired to 
hear me answer them in their own tongue, and saw by my complexion I must be a 
European; but were at at a loss to know what I meant by Yahoo and Houyhnhnms; 
and at the same time fell a laug.iing at my strange tone in speaking, which resem- 
bled the neighing of a horse. I trembled all the while betwixt fear and hatred. I 
again desired leave to depart, and was gently moving to my canoe; but they laid 
hold of me desiring to know “what I country was of? whence I came?” with many 
other questions. I told them, “ I was born in England, whence I came about five 
years ago, an ! then their country and ours were at peace. I therefore hoped they 
would not treat me as an enemy, since I meant them no harm, but was a poor Yahoo 
seeking some desolate place where to pass the remainder of his unfortunate life.” 

When they began to talk, I thought I never heard or saw anything more un- 
natural; for it appeared to me as monstrous as if a dog or a cow should speak in En- 
gland, or a Yahoo in Houyhnhnmland. The honest Portuguese were equallv amazed 
at my strange dress, and the odd manner of delivering my words, which, however, 
they understood very well. They spoke to me with great humanity, and said, “they 
were sure the captain would carry me gratis to Lisbon, whence I might return to 
my own country; that two of the seam n would go back to the ship, inform the 
capt in of what they h d seen, and receive his orders ; in the mean time, unless I 
would give my solemn oath not to fly, they would secure me by force.” I thought it 
best to comply with their proposal. They were very curious to know my story, but 
I gave them very little s itisfaction, and they all conjectured that my misfortune had 
impaired my reason. In two hours the boat, which went laden with vessels of 
water, returned with ihe captain’s command, to fetch me on board. I fell on my 
knees to preserve mv liberty, but it was all in vain; and the men, having tied me 
w.th cords, heaved me into the boat, whence I was taken to the ship, and thence to 
the captain’s citbin. 

His name was Pedro de Nendez; he was a very courteous and generous person. 
He entreated me to give some account of myself, and desired to know what I would 
eat or drink; said li I should be as well treated as himself;” and spoke so many 
obliging things, that I wondered to find such civilities from a Yahoo. However, I 
remained silent and sullen ; I was ready to faint at the very smell of him and his men. 
At last I de i e 1 something to eat out of mv own canoe; but he ordered me a 
chicken, and some excellent wine, and th n directed that I should be put to bed in 
a very clean cabin. I would not undress myself, but lay on the bed-clothes, and in 
half an hour stole out, when I thought the crew was at dinner, and getting to the 
side of the ship, was going to leap into the sea, and swim for my life, rather than 
continue among Yahoos. But one of the seamen prevented me, and having In- 
formed the capt in. I was chained to my cabm. 

After dinner, Don Pedro came to me, and des'red to know my reason for so desper- 
ate an attempt; and as-ured me “he only meant to do me all the service he was 
able, ” and spoke so very movingly, that at last I descended to treat him like an ani- 
mal which had some 1 t le portion of reason. I gave him a very short relation of 
of my voyage; of the conspiracy against me by my own men; of the country where 
they set me on shore, and of my live year’s residence there; all of wli ch he* looked 
upon as if it were a dream or a vision; whereat I took great offense; for I had quite for- 
got the faculty of lying, so peculiar to Yahoos in all countries where they reside, 
and consequently the disposition of suspecting truth in others of their own spe- 
cies. I asked him “whether it was the custom in Ids country tosny the thing which 
was not?” I nsmred him, “I h id almost forgot what he meant bv falsehood, and if 
I had lived a thousand years in Houyhnhnmland, I should never have heard a lie f ora 
the. meanest servant; that I was altogether in< ifferent whether he believed me or 
not; but, how. ver, in return for his favors I would give so much allowance to the 
corruption of his nature as to answer any objection he might please to make, and 
then he might e sify discover ihe truth.” 

The captain, a wise man, after many endeavors to catch me tripping in some part 
of my story, at last began to have a better opinion of my varacity. But he added 


A VOYAGE TO THE COUNTRY OF THE HOTJYHNHNM9L 


1X9 


"that since I professed so inviolable an attachment to truth, I must give him my word 
and honor to bear him company in this voyage, without attempting anything against 
my life; or else he would continue me a prisoner till we arrived at Lisbon.’' I gave 
him the promise he required ; but at the same time protested, “ that I would suffer 
the greatest har : ships rather than return to live among Yahoos.” 

Our voyage passed without any considerable accident. In gratitude to the captain, 
I sometimes sat with him, at his earnest request, and strove to conceal my antipa- 
thy against human kind, although it often broke out; which he suffered to pass 
without observation. But the greater part of the day I confined myself to my cabin, 
to avoid seeing any of ti.e crew. The captain had often entreated me to strip my- 
self of my savage dress, and offered to lend me the best suit of clothes he had. This 
I would not be prevailed upon lo uco pt, abhorring to cover myself with anything 
that had been on the back of a Yahoo. I on.y des.red he would lend me two clean 
shirts, which, having been washed since he wore them, I believed would not so much 
defile me. Tnese I changed every second day, and washed them myself. 

We arrived at Lisbon, November 5, 1715. At our landing the captain forced me 
to cover myself with his cloak, to prevent the rabble from crowding about me. I 
was conveyed to his own house, and at my earnest request he led me up to the high- 
est room backward. I conjured him “to conceal from all persons what I had told 
him of the Houvhnhnms; because the least hint of such a story would not only draw 
numbers of people to see me, but probably put me in danger of being imprisoned or 
burnt by the inquisition.” Tne captain p* rsuadtd me to accept u suit 'A clothes 
newly made, but I would not sufler the tailor to take my measure; however, Don 
Pedro being almost of my size, they fitted me well enough. He accoutred me with 
other necessaries — all new — which I arred for twenty-four hours before i would use 
them. 

The captain had no wi r e, nor above three servants— none of whom were suffered 
to attend at meals; and his whole deportment was so obliging, added to very good 
human understanding, that I really began to tolerate his company. He gained so 
far upon me that I ventured to look out of the back window. By degrees I was 
brought into another room, wl.ence I peeped into the street, but drew my head back 
in a fright In a week’s time lie seduced me down to the door. I fouud my terror 
gradually lessened, but my hatred and contempt seemed to increase. I was at last 
bold enough to walk the street in his company, but kept my nose well stopped with 
rue, or some.im s with tobacco. 

In ten days Don Pedro, to whom I had given some account of my domestic affairs, 
put it upon me, as a matter of honor and conscience, *• That I ought to return to my 
nat.ve county, and live at home with my wife and children.” He told me, “ There 
was an English ship in t^c port just ready to sail, and he would furnish me with all 
things necessary.” 

It would be tedious to repent bis arguments and my contradictions. He said, 
u It was altogether impossible to find suc.i i col.tary isl md as I desired to live in ; 
but I mij;ht command in my own house, and pass my time in a manner as recluse as 

* ^complied at Inst, finding I could not do better, I left Lisbon, the 24th day of 
Kovember, in an Eugl sh merchantman— but who was the master I never inquired. 

Don Pedro accompanied me to the ship, and lent me twenty pounds. He took 
kind leave of me and embraced me at parting— wi.ich I bore as wed as I could. 

During this last voyage I had no commerce with the master or any of his men; 
but, pretending 1 was S;ck, kept close in my calin. . 

On the 5th of December, 1715, we cast anchor in the Downs, about nine in the 
morning, and at three in the afternoon I got safe to my house at Reiriff. 

My wife aud laraiiy received me wiih great surprise and joy, because they con- 
cluded me certainly dead; but I must freely confess the sight of them filled me only 
with hatred, disgust and contempt— and the more by reflecting on the near alliance 
I had to them. For although, since my unfortunate exile from the Houvhnhnms 
country, I had compelled myself to tolerare the sight of Yahoos and to converse with 
Don Pedro de Mendez, yet my memory and imagination were perpetually filled with 
the virtues and ideas of those exalted Houyhnhnms.. 

As soon rs 1 entered my house my wife took me in her arms and kissed me; at 
which, not having been used to the touch of that odious animal for so many years, I 
fell into a swoon lor almost an hour. At the time I am writing it is five years since 


120 


etJLnvEfi^S TRAVELS# 


mylastieturn to England. During the first year I could not endure my wife or 
children in my presence — the very sight of them was intolerable; much le^s could I 
Buffer them to eat in the same room. To th s hour they dare not presume to touch 
my bread or drink out of the same cup, neither was 1 ever able to let one of them 
take me by the hand. . t . 

The first money I laid out was to buy two young horses, which I kept in a good 
stable; and next to them the groom is my greatest favorite — for I feel my spirits re- 
vived by the smell he contracts in the stable. My horses understand me tolerably 
well; I converse with them at least four hours every day. They are strangers to 
bridle or saddle; they live in great amity with me and friendship to each other. 


CHAPTER XIL 

The author’s veradtv — His design In pulilish'ng this work— His censure of fho»e frave’ens who 
swerve from the tru h— The author clears himself from any s nister ends in wri ing— An ob- 
jec ion answered — The me hod or plant ng colonies— His native country commended — The 
righ* of the crown to those countries df scribed by the author is justified — The d fficulty of 
conquering them— The author takes his last have of the reader; proposes his manner of living 
for the luture; gives good advice and concludes. 

Thus, gentle reader, I have given thee a faithful history of mv travels for sixteen 
years ana above seven months; wherein I have not been so stud ous of ornament as 
of truth. I could, perhaps, like others, have astonished thee with strange, improb- 
able tale, but I rather chose to relate plain matter ot' fact, in the simplest manner 
and style ; because my principal design was to inform, and not to amuse thee. 

It is easy for us to travel into remote countries which are seldom visited by Eng- 
lishmen or other Europeans, to lorm descriptions of wonderful animals both at sea 
and land. "Whereas a traveler’s chief aim should be to make men wiser and better, 
and improve their minds by the bad as well as good example of what they deliver 
concerning foreign places. 

I could neartily wish a law was enacted that every traveler, before he were per- 
mitted to publish his voyages, should be obliged to make oath before the Lord High 
Chancellor that all he intended to print was absolutely true to the best of his knowl- 
edge; for then the world would no longer be deceived, as it usually is, while some 
writers, to make their works pass the better upon the public, impose the grossest 
falsities on the unwary reader. I have perused several books of travels with great 
delight in my younger days; but having since gone over most parts of the globe, 
and been able to contradict many fabulous accounts from my own observation, it has 
given me a great disgust against ibis part of reading and some indignation to see the 
credulity of mankind so impudently abused. Therefore, since my acquaintance 
were pleased to think my poor endeavors might not be unacceptable to my country, 
I imposed on myself, as a maxim never to be swerved from, that I would strict'y ad- 
here to truth; neither, indeed, can I be ever under the least temptation to vary from 
it, while I retain in my mind the lectures and example of my noble master and the 
other illustrious Houyhnhnms of whom I had so long the honor to be an humble 
hearer. 

Nec si mlserum Fortuna Sin^nem 

Finxit, vanum etiam, meudacemque .mproba finget. 

I know very well how little reputation is to be got by writings which require 
neither genius nor learning — nor, indeed, any other talent except a good memory or 
an exact journal. I know, likewise, that writers of travels, like dictionary-makers, 
are sunk into oblivion by the weight and bulk of those who come last and therefore 
lie uppermost. And it is highly probable that such travelers who shall hereafter 
visit the countries described in this work of mine may — by detecting my errors (if 
there be any) and adding many new discoveries of their own — justle me out of vogue 
and stand in my place, making the world forget that ever I was an author. This,' in- 
deed, would be too great a mortification if I wrote for fame; but as my sole inten- 
tion was the public good I cannot be altogether disappointed. For who can read of 
the virtues I have mentioned in the glorious Houyhnhnms without being ashamed of 
his own vices, when he considers himself as the reasoning, governing animal of his 
«o«iUry? I shall say nothing of those remote nations where Yahoos reside — a»on» 


m 


A voyage to the country of the houyhnhnms. 

wliota the least corrupted are the Brobdingnagians; whose wise maxims in morality 
® ,n< ^ S overn,nt:n t it would be our happiness to observe. But I forbear descanting 
further, and rather leave the judicious reader to his own remarks and application. 

I am not a little pleased that this work of mine can possibly meet with no cen- 
surers; for what objection can be made against a writer who relates only plain facts, 
that happened in such distant countries where we have not the least interest with 
respect either to trade or negotiations? I have carefully avoided every fault with 
which common writers of travels are often too justly charged. Besides, I meddle 
not the least with any party, but write without passion, prejudice or ill-will against 
any man or number of men whatsoever. 1 write for the noblest end— to inform and 
instruct mankind; over whom I may, without breach of modesty, pretend to some 
superiority, from the advantages X received by conversing so long among the 
most accomplished Houyhnhnms. I write without any view to profit or praise. I 
never suffer a word to pass that may look like a reflection, or possibly give the least 
offense — even to those who are most ready to take it. So that I hope I may with 
justice pronounce myself an author perfectly blameless; against whom the tribes of 
Answe ers, Considcrcrs, Observers, lteflcctor3, Detectors, Bemarkera, will never be 
able to find matter f r exercising their talents. 

I confess it was whispered to me that I was bound in duty, as a subject of England, 
to have given in a memorial to a secretary of state at my first coming over; because 
whatever lands are discovered by a subject belong to the crown. But I doubt 
whether our conquests, in the countries I treat of, would be as easy as those of Ferd- 
inando Cortez over the naked Americans. The Lilliputians, I think, are hardly 
worth the charge of a fleet and army to reduce them; and I question whether it 
might be prudent or safe to attempt the Brobdingnagians; or whether an English 
army would be much at their ease with the Flying Island over their heads. The. 
Houyhnhnms, indeed, appear not to be so well prepared for war — a science to whioh 
they are perfect strangers, and especially against missive weapons. However, sup- 
posing myselt to be a minister of state, I could never give my ; dvice for invading 
them Their prudence, unanimity, unacquaintedness with fear and their love of 
their country, would amply supply ali defects in the military art. Iiuarhie twenty 
thousand of them breaking into the midst of an European army, confounding the 
ranks, overturning the carriages, battering the warriors’ faces into mummy by terri- 
ble jerks from their hinder hoofs — for they would well deserve the character given 
to Augustus, Eecalcitrat unique tutus. But, instead of proposals for conquering that 
magnanimous nadon, I rather wish they were in a capacity or disposition to send a 
sufficient number of their inhabitants for civilizing Europe, by teaching us the first 
principles of honor, justice, trut.i, temperance, public spirit, fortitude, chastity, 
friendship, benevolence and fidelity. The names of all which virtues are still re- 
tained among us iu most languages, and are to be met with in modern as well as 
ancient authors; which I am able to assert from my own small reading. 

But I had another reason, which made me less forward to enlarge his majesty’s 
dominions by my discoveries. To say the truth, I had conceived a few scruples with 
relation to the distributive justice of princes upon those occasions. For instance, a 
crew of pirates are driven by a storm they know not whither; at last a boy discov- 
ers land from the topmast; they go on shore to rob and plunder; they see a harmless 
people; are entertained with kindness; they give the country a new name; they 
take formal possession of it for their king; they set up a rotten plank, or a stone, 
for a memori 1 ; they murder two or three dozen of the natives, bring away a couple 
more, by force, for a sample ; return home and get their pardon. Here commences 
a new dominion acquired with a title by divine right. Ships are sent with the first 
opportunity; the natives driven out or destroyed ; their princes tortured to discover 
their gold ; a free license given to all acts of inhumanity and lust, the earth reeking 
with the blood of its inhabitants; and this execrable crew of butchers, employed in 
so pious an expedition, is a modern colony, sent to convert and civilize an idola- 
trous and barbarous people. 

But this descrip ion, 1 confess, do«.s by no means affect the British nation, who 
may be an example to the whole world for their wisdom, care, and justice in plant- 
ing colonies; their liberal endowments for the advancement of religion and learn- 
ing; their choice of devout and able pistors to propagate Christianity; their caution 
in stocking their provinces with people of sober lives and conversations from this 
the mother kingdom; their strict regard to the distribution of justice, in supplying 


123 GULU YES’S TEATEL2L 

the civil administration through all their colonies with officers of the greatest abill- 
ties, utter st angers to corruption; and, to crown all, by sending the most vigilant 
and virtuous governors, who have no other views than the happiness of the people 
over whom they preside, and the honor of the king, their master. 

But as those countries, which I have described, do not appear to have any desire 
of being conquered and enslaved, niurd red or driven out, by colonies; nor abound 
either in gold, silver, sugar, or tobacco; I did humbiy conceive they w.re by no 
means proper objects of our ze 1, our valor, or our interest, However, if those 
whom it more concerns, think fit to be of anoth r opinion, I cm ready to depose, 
when I shall be lawfully cal.ed, that no European did ever visit those countries be- 
fore me. I mean if the" inhabitants ought to be believed, unless a dispute may arise 
concerning the two Yanoos, said to have been seen many years ago upon a mount- 
ain in Houyhuhnmland. 

But as to tne formality of taking possession in my sovereign’s name, it never 
came once into my though s; and if it had, yet. as my affuiis then stood, I should 
perhaps, in point of prudence and self-preservation, have put it off ;o a better op- 
portunity. 

Having thus answered the only objection that can ever be raised against me as a 
traveler, I here take a final leave of all my courteous readers, and return to enjoy 
my own speculations in my little g irden at Bed iff ; to apply those excellent lessons 
of’ v rtue, which I learned among the Houyhnhnms; to instruct the Yahoos of my 
own family, ns far as I shall find them docible animals; to behold my figure often In 
a glass, and thus, if possible, habituate myself by time to tolerate the sight of a hu- 
man creature; to lament t.ie brutality of Houyhnhnms, in my own country, but 
always treat their persons with respect, for the sake of my noble master, his 
family, his friends, and the whole Houyhnhnm race, whom these of ours have the 
honor to resemble in all their lineaments, however their intellectuals came to de- 
generate. 

1 began last week to permit my wife to sit at dinner with me, at the farthest end 
of a long table; and to answer (but w.th the utmost brevity) the few questions I 
asked her. And, although it be hard for a man late in life’ to remove old habks, 
I am not altogether out of hopes, in some time, to suffer a neighbor Yahoo in 
my company, without the apprehensions I am yet under of his teeth or his claws. 

My reconcilement to the Yahoo kind in general might not be so difficult, if they 
would be content with those vices and follies only which nature has entitled them 
to. I am not in the least provoked at the sight of a lawyer, a pickpocket, a colonel, 
a fool, a lord, a gamester, a politician, a physician, an evidence, a suborner, an 
attorney, a traitor, or the like ; this is all according to the due course of things ; but 
when I behold a lump of deformity and diseases, both in body and mind, smitten 
with pride, it immediately breaks all the measures of my patience; neither shall I 
be ever able to comprehend how such an animal, and such a vice, could tally to- 
gether. The wise and virtuous Houyhnhnms, who abound in all the excellences 
that can adorn a rational creature, have no name for this vice in their language; 
which has no terms to express anything that is evil, except those whereby they de- 
scribe the detestable qua.ities of their Yahoos; among which they were not able to 
distinguish this of pride, for want of thorougly understanding human nature, as it 
shows itself in other countries where that animal presides. But I, who had 
more experience, could plainly observe some rudiments of it among the wild Ya- 
hoos. 

But the Houyhnhnms, who live under the government of reason, are no more 
proud of the good qualities they possess, than I should be for not wanting a leg or 
an arm; which no man in his wits would boast of, although he must be miserable 
without them. I dwell the longer upon this subject from the desire I have to make 
the society of an English Yahoo by any means not insupportable; and therefore I 
here entreat those who have any tincture of this absurd vice that they will not 
presume to come in my sight. 


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FRANKLIN SQUARE LIBRARY 

We have made arrangements with the publishers whereby we are enabled to offer the 
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Book No. 311. Life of James A. Garfield. By Edmund Kirke. A truthful record of the life 
of our late president, t ontains a number ot illustrations. 

Book No. 312. Social Etiquette. A universal liand-Look of social etiquette and home culture 
for ladies and get tlemen. 

Book No. 314. Selected Poems of Matthew Arnold. This volume contains a large number 
of the most popular poems of this eminent poet. 

Book No. 315. Sport and Work on the Nepaul Frontier: or, Twelve Years’ Sporting Rem- 
iniscences of an indigo Planter. The novelty ot the author’s daring adventures cannot fail 
to win attention. 

Book No. 317. His Little Mother. By author of “ John Halifax.” A very interesting little 
s oiv of a twin brother and sister, told in the author’s peculiar, brilliant and spirited style. 
This volume contains seven other stories of equal interest, suited to all tastes. 

Book No. 318. My Heart’s in the Highlands. A novel justly praised for the originality 
and the dramatic interest of its plot. 

Book No. 319. The Fugitives. By Mrs. Oliphant. The felicity of expression and aptitude 
for s ory-telling by t.us author is remarkable, and thereadtr will find a number of those 
suggestive hints and unobtrusive charms which show the hand of a true artist. 

Book No. 320. An Eye for an Eye. By Anthony Trollope. This well-known author wields 
a vieoroii' pen, and in this book there are evidences of unusual intellectual power. 

Book No. 321. Orange Lily. By Mary Crommelin. A very entertaining love story, the scene 
of wlich is in Scotland, and it is a story of Lily, whose suit temper fitted to everybody else’s 
shape of mind, and when a girl, was, from her curiou.dy smiling, little, freckled face and 
reddish pate— neatly combed and thick— dubbed Orange Lily. 

Book No. 322. Cousin Simon. A Novel. By the Hon. Mrs. Robert Marsham. This book is a 
remarkably interesting work, being full of pleasing incidents, and is sufficiently exciting to 
hold the attention of the must exacting novel readers. 

Book No. 323. The Heart of Holland. Bv Henry Harvard. Translated by Mrs. Cashel 
Hoey. A his’ory of Holland. It is very interesting throughout as well as instructive, and 
should be lead bv both old and young. 

Book No. 324. The History of a Crime. By Victor Hugo. A very remarkable book, and 
readers wdi linger with devotion over the fascinating pages of a History of a Crime— being 
the testimony of an eye witness who, with other Frenchmen, was exiled, and who becomes 
a historian, reciting the events of the past, abounding in details, and living, it might be said 
bleeding, with real facts. 

Book No. 325. Cross Purposes. A Novel. By Cecilia Findlay. This work is a bright and 
fascinating novel, written in an animated and unaflected style. Thewoikis attractive for 
its freshness, and pleases the reader by its sweet naturalness of feeling and its quiet pathi s. 
Book No. 326. Light and Shade. A Novel. By Charlotte G. O’Brien. This very clever and 
interesting stor> , which begins in the autumn beloie the Fenian rising of 1867, gives a won- 
derful account of life in Ireland at that time, with every phase of which the writer appears 
to be thoroughly familiar. 

Book No. 327. Eothen ; or, Traces of Travel Brought Home from the East. By Alexander 
W. K ngiake. A sketch of a tour through the East, told in a very comprehensive and 
graphic manner. His wonderiul descriptions ol travel at the Pass of the Lebanon, at 
Damascus, from Cairo to Suez, exploring the pyramids, and at the Dead Sea, should be read 
by everybody. The spirit and enthusiasm with which Mr. Kinglake writes his travels 
makes it so absorbingly interesting that it is almost impossible to lay the book down. 

Book No. 328. The Bachelor of the Albany. A Novel. A very interesting w< rk and bears 
many marks of unusual talent. A more thorough realistic sketch of character has not beta 
given to the public for some time, and it may be read with decided pleasure. 

Book No. 329. The Posy Ring. A Novel. By Mrs. Alfred W. Hunt. Very bright and fas- 
cinating. as can tie judged from a short quotation ; “Lucy’s three months of travel was all 
but over. On the 15th she was to return to London and Aunt Esther. Her visit had been 
a very happy one — a very gay one, too, — and even yet thegavety was not quite at an end, f« r 
this very night there was to be a large ball at Hazlewood. Robert Merivalewas coming to it.” 
Book No. 330. L : l, Fair, Fair, with Golden Hair. By Hon. Mrs. Featlierstonhaugh. An 
entertaining story of Fair Lil, of wnom “ every soul in the glen speaks well, and there’s not 
a cabin on the mountain-side, or even a beggar by the way, that doesn’t know her, though 
we may not ; so I think the sooner we make her acquaintance perhaps the better for us.” 
Book No. 331. The Farmer’s Daughters. A delightful story of a farmer’s two daughters, 
of whom the hero observed upon Introduction that “ he liked the two girls immediately, 
for, while Carrie won his respect by her quiet, lady-like demeanor, Nell amused him w ith 
her quaint ways.” 

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One Year, twenty-four numbers, - $3.00. 

Single Copy, - ... 

Invariably in Advance. 

The books described below will be am^ng the first published in the Farm and Fireside 

Library series. 

FOE 25 CENTS, A COPY OF ANY BOOK IN THIS LIST WILL BE SENT BY MAIL, POSTPAID. 

Orders taken now, and books mailed as soon as published. 

Book No. I. Life aid Adventures of Robinson Crusoe. This well-known book may be 
ranked as the in >si popular standard juvenile book ever printed. Our edition is complete 
in one vol. Fully illustrated. 

Book No. 2. The Pilgrim’s Progress from this world to that which is to come. This re- 
markable book, as every one knows, was written under the similitude of a dream, by John 
Bunyan, the most popular rel.gious writer in the English language ; and perhaps more 
copies have been sold than any other book except the Bible. Our edition is complete and 
unabridged, with appropriate illustrations. 

Book No. 3. New Farm and Fireside Cook Book. ONE OF THE BEST COOK BOOKS 
EVER PUBLISHED. Contains about l.uoo Recipes. It is just the book that eveiy wue and 
housekeeper needs. It tells how to cook all kinds of bread, cakes, and meats : it tells bow 
to make all kinds of soup; it gives recipes for cooking tisn, oysters, poultry and game; it 
tells how to select the best poultry, fish, meats, ei c. ; it gives the best methods ol preparing 
sauces and salads and all kinds of vegeiables for the table and tells the housekeeper all 
she needs to know about bread, biscuits, rolls, puddings, pies, custards, creams, cookies, tea, 
coffee, chocolate, home-made candies, antidote for poison, cooking for the sick, and many 
other useful things. 

Book No. 4. Saved at Last from Among the Mormons. Every man and woman in the 
laud snould real this story, which is founded upon facts, and gives an insight into the low 
estate of woman under the Mormon rule. 

Book No. 5. Gulliver’s Travels. Th s book tells of the supposed travels and surprising 
adventures of Lemuel Gulliver into several remote regions of the world, where he met with 
a race of people no larger than your hand. Also his wonderful exploits among giants. Com- 
plete in one volume. Finely illustrated. 

Book No. 6. Bread and Cheese and Kisses. By B. L. Farjeon. A very popular Christmas 
story after the style of Dickens; abounds in excellent and novel features. Complete in one 
volume, with illustrations. 

Book No. 7. The Arab an Nights’ Entertainments Illustrated with numerous wood en- 
gravings, descriptive of those many strange and singular stories which the legend says the 
Sultaness of Persia related to the Sultan night after night, in order to prolong her life, and 
thus finally won his affections and delivered the many virgins, who but for her would 
have been sacrificed to his unjust resentment. 

Book No. 8. ^sops’s Fables. The Fables of ASso pus, an apt representative of the great social 
and intellectual movement of the age which he adorned. Born a slave, he forced his 
way by his mother-wit in 4 o the courts of princes. In one vol. Verv profusely illustrated. 

Book No. 9. John Ploug man’s Pictures ; or, More of his Plain Talk for Plain People, by 
Rev. Chas. H. Spurgeou. This book is exceedingly humorous and instructive, using the 
simplest form of wor Is and very plain speech. To smite evil, and especially the monster 
evil of drink, has been the author’s earnest endeavor. Complete in one volume — contain- 
ing a great number of pictures. 

Book No. 10. Noble Deeds of Men and Women. A history and description of noble deeds, 
presenting correct and beautiful models of noble life to awaken the impulse to imitate what 
we admire. By the recorded acts of the great and good we regulate our own course, and 
steer, star-guided, over life’s trackless ocean. 

The usual price of these books bound in cloth is SI 00 to S3.00 each. We bind them in heavy 
piper, and send them by mail and prepay the postage. They comprise a wide range and 
striking diversity of the most brilliant and pleasing productions of the most noted and 
papular authors, and include books of travels, adventures, fiction and humor, so that all 
tastes will be suite I. We call it the Farm and Fireside Library, and anv one obtaining 
these books will possess a library of the most popular books ever published. We have not 
room to give an exteded description of each book, but all will be delighted who obtain these 
noted books at so ow a price. 

THE BOOKS are the latest and most complete editions, and contain many illustrations 
one alone requiring fifty pictures to complete it. 

MONEY should be sent by Post-office Money Order or Registered Letter, addressed to 


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FARM AND FIRESIDE COMPANY, Springfield, Ohio. 




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